Guidelines for Contributors

Information for Authors

PALAESTRA, a refereed quarterly (fall, winter, spring, summer) professional journal, deals with all aspects of sport, physical education, recreation, and related activity areas involving participants with disabilities. Information for short fillers and use in departments is encouraged. Submit dates and other details about conferences, seminars, and other training and in-service programs for inclusion in PALAESTRA’s Calendar.

Focus of PALAESTRA is broad, including practical applications for teaching, coaching, and leading; implications and applications of scientific research for training and teaching; administration, supervision, and management; professional preparation and in-service education, innovative ideas and practices; assessment and classifications; relationships of basic sciences to methods and activities for individuals with disabilities; sports medicine and athletic training applied to individuals with disabilities; equipment and supplies used in these programs; professional issues and trends.

A double-blind review process is followed rigorously. Manuscripts are reviewed by members of the editorial board and/or other professional specialists representing all topical areas dealt with in PALAESTRA. Manuscripts are accepted for review and consideration on the condition they have not been published previously, submitted simultaneously, or accepted for publication elsewhere. PALAESTRA will consider manuscripts rejected by other journals. There are no page or illustration charges.

Terminology

Terminology throughout PALAESTRA conforms to current accepted usage. Focus is on people, not disabilities (i.e., students who are blind; athletes with spinal cord injuries; participants who have intellectual disabilities; persons who use wheelchairs for mobility are wheelchair users, not “wheelchair bound,” etc.). Reference is to individuals with disabilities, not handicaps, handicapping conditions, or impairments. Authors should apply this person-first policy in their manuscripts.

Guidelines

The following guidelines are to assist authors in preparing manuscripts to be considered through the PALAESTRA review and editorial processes:

  • Submit all manuscripts in English.
  • Deal with any topic associated with sport, physical education, recreation, dance, and related areas involving participants with disabilities, each interpreted and applied in its broadest way.
  • Make the manuscript no longer than 12 to 15 double spaced pages, with illustrations, (8 1/2” x 11” with margins of at least one inch). Include an abstract of approximately 100 words.
  • Follow American Psychological Association (APA) style of documentation within the text and for references.
  • Include sections with each manuscript (each starting on a separate page) for (a) title page, (b) abstract, (c) text, (d) acknowledgements, (e) selected references, (f) photographs/drawings/tables/graphs, (g) legends/cutline information for photographs and other illustrations, and (h) a brief biographical sketch for inclusion with published article. Number pages consecutively in the upper right hand corner of each page, beginning with the title page.
  • Include a cover sheet with author name(s), academic or professional title(s), complete mailing address(es), and e-mail contact information. Do not have names or related information on any manuscript pages that will be sent out for review.
  • Submit illustrations—photographs, drawings, tables, and/or graphs—to give greater impact to content and its presentation. Photographs/Drawings—color prints, or black and white prints of good quality can be considered; digital photo illustrations may be sent on a computer disk (CD) in graphic formats, with resolution being a minimum of 300 dpi-600 dpi or higher. Drawings should be in India ink on white background; include a properly identified cutline (caption) for each illustration; if photographs of persons are used, either subjects must not be identifiable, or their pictures must be accompanied by written permission for use. Tables/Graphs—number in sequence, cite by number in the text, and include legends for each; double space and place each on a separate sheet; make every effort to send tables and graphs in camera-ready form, so each can be processed directly. If X-rays are to be used as illustrations, submit actual X-ray films (not photographic copies). Illustrative materials become the property of PALAESTRA for possible future use unless instructions requesting their return accompany submission.
  • Submit your manuscript electronically via an email attachment as a Microsoft Word document. Photo illustrations should be submitted as jpeg or tiff files, along with captions/cutlines and photo credits.
  • Direct requests for information about reprints to the Editor; four tear sheets are provided authors of each feature article published.

For more information or to send a manuscript, contact:

PALAESTRA
c/o Martin E. Block, Ph.D., CAPE
Kinesiology Program
University of Virginia
2010 Emmet St. S., Box 400407
Charlottesville, VA 22904-4407

Phone/Fax: 1-434-924-7073

E-Mail: meb7u@virginia.edu