Specialization, scope of scientific or sport area

Sport Pedagogy, Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE), Kinesiology, Sport Psychology, Physical Activity and Self-Esteem, Psychosocial Aspects of Physical Activity, Physical Self-Perception, Teaching and Teacher Efficacy, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Curriculum Development in Physical Education, and Instructional Strategies in Sport and Physical Education.

Science, sports and practical experience

Professor Hosung So is a distinguished scholar and educator in the fields of kinesiology, sport pedagogy, and physical education. Since joining the Department of Kinesiology at California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB), in 2002, he has developed extensive experience in teaching, scientific research, academic leadership, and international collaboration.

His research focuses on physical activity and self-esteem, psychosocial dimensions of physical activity, physical education teacher education (K–12), physical self-perception, and teaching effectiveness. His academic contributions include numerous scientific journal publications, book chapters, and presentations at national and international conferences.

Professor So has been actively involved in scholarly publishing and editorial activities, serving as Associate Editor of the European Journal of Educational Science, Section Editor for Sport Pedagogy and Philosophy of the Journal of Sport and Leisure Studies, and reviewer for the Journal of Kinesiology. He also serves as Publication Managing Editor of the Journal of Health, Sports, and Kinesiology (JOHSK).

His professional experience extends to international academic cooperation, having served as an Adjunct Professor at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand, where he contributed to doctoral supervision and academic advisory activities in sport tourism.

In addition to his academic expertise, Professor So holds several professional sport qualifications, including a 4th Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo (Kukkiwon, Korea), a FIFA “F” Soccer Coaching License, a USA National Junior Badminton Coaching License, and certification as a professional sport agent in soccer, golf, basketball, and baseball.

As President and CEO of the International Organization for Health, Sports, and Kinesiology (IOHSK), he promotes international scientific collaboration, interdisciplinary research, and academic excellence in health, sport, and kinesiology. The organization brings together researchers, educators, and professionals from universities and institutions worldwide.

Scientific/sports career

Professor Hosung So holds a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction, with doctoral studies at Purdue University (1998–2000) and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (2000–2002). He also earned a Master’s degree in Sport Psychology and a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from Chung-Ang University, Seoul, South Korea. Additionally, he completed a Physical Education Teaching License Program at Indiana State University.

Since 2002, he has been a faculty member at California State University, San Bernardino, where he holds the academic rank of Full Professor of Sport Pedagogy and Physical Education Teacher Education. His teaching activities cover curriculum design, instructional strategies, measurement and statistics in kinesiology, movement education, applied behavior management, and sport coaching principles.

Throughout his academic career, Professor So has held important institutional and professional leadership positions. He served as a Faculty Senator at CSUSB for three consecutive terms (2018–2020, 2020–2022, and 2022–2024), contributing to university governance and academic development.

He is the Founder of the Korean Student Scholarship Foundation (KSSF), an initiative supporting students in their academic development and educational achievements.

His scientific and educational contributions have been recognized through several distinctions, including the Best Doctoral Dissertation Award from SHAPE America (AAHPERD) Southwest District, the Excellent Faculty Advisor Award, the Excellent Teaching Faculty Award, and the Excellent Service Faculty Award at CSUSB, as well as the Distinguished Scholar Award from the European Journal of Scientific Research.

Through his leadership of IOHSK, Professor So continues to advance international research networks and promote scientific cooperation in health, physical education, sports, and kinesiology. According to his institutional profile, the organization had more than 36,000 members across 108 countries as of December 2024.

His academic career reflects a sustained commitment to excellence in research, teaching, professional development, and international cooperation in sport sciences and physical education.

Specialization, scope of scientific or sport area

Biomechanics of the Foot and Lower Limb (Analyzing gait and running patterns to maximize performance and prevent injuries), Electromyography (EMG) (Evaluating muscle behavior response to different foot orthoses), Smart Orthopedic Innovation (Researching non-Newtonian materials and their real-time adaptation to pathological athlete needs), Clinical Podiatry (Reliability of diagnostic tests for functional hallux limitus and surgical/pharmacological treatments for plantar pathologies).

Science, sports and practical experience

Ruben Sanchez-Gomez is a Permanent Labor Professor at the Faculty of Nursing, Physiotherapy, and Podiatry at the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM). With over 20 years of clinical and academic experience, Dr. Sanchez-Gomez has served as a Sports Podiatrist at prestigious institutions such as Clínica CEMTRO and the Madrid Tennis Federation. He has authored 41 international JCR articles, with a significant concentration in high-impact journals (16 Q1 and 19 Q2 rankings). His scientific contributions include the development of patented orthopedic technologies, such as dynamic propulsive heel lifts and kinematic rockers. Dr. Sanchez-Gomez has led international research as a Principal Investigator at Nanyang Technological University (Singapore) and maintains active collaborations across Europe through the Erasmus+ program.

Scientific/sports career

Ruben Sanchez-Gomez holds a PhD from Rey Juan Carlos University (2012) and has been accredited by ANECA as a Full University Professor (Profesor Titular) since July 2024. He specializes in lower limb biomechanics, electromyographic (EMG) muscle activity, and the development of intelligent orthopedic innovations for recreational and elite athletes.  Key Bibliometric Indicators: Total JCR Publications: 41 / H-index: 9 / Total Citations: 187 / Patents: 2 (Utility Models for orthopedic insoles) / Research Merit: Recognized with 2 six-year research periods.

Specialization, scope of scientific or sport area

His area of specialization lies within sports performance and physical activity sciences, with particular emphasis on the analysis of functional asymmetries, anthropometric variables, and training adaptations in athletes. His research interests are focused on understanding and optimizing physical performance, assessing fitness-related variables, and applying evidence-based training methodologies in both educational and high-performance sport contexts.

Science, sports and practical experience

He combines a solid academic background with extensive professional experience across different educational and applied sport environments. As an Assistant Professor at the University of Zaragoza, he has been actively involved in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, particularly in degrees related to Physical Activity and Sport Sciences and teacher education.

Prior to his university career, he developed a broad teaching trajectory within the Spanish education system, working as a Primary Education teacher from 2009 to 2015, where he also assumed coordination and management responsibilities, and later as a Physical Education teacher in Secondary Education and Baccalaureate between 2015 and 2020.

In parallel, he has built a strong applied profile in the field of football performance. He worked for two seasons as a strength and conditioning coach in Spanish Third Division teams and, subsequently, for six years within the youth academy of Real Zaragoza S.A.D., covering different competitive levels from U14 to U19. This dual academic and applied experience has allowed him to integrate scientific knowledge with real-world performance demands.

Additionally, he has been involved in several research and innovation initiatives, including participation in regional, national, and European projects, as well as in activities related to scientific dissemination and academic development.

Scientific/sports career

He obtained his Degree in Primary Education with a specialization in Physical Education from the University of Zaragoza in 2007, followed by a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Activity and Sport Sciences from the University of Lleida in 2009. He later completed a Master’s Degree in High Performance Sport, awarded by the Spanish Olympic Committee in 2014. In 2017, he began his doctoral studies in Health Sciences, which he successfully completed in 2022 , focused on the analysis and improvement of sports performance from a functional perspective.

His professional career has evolved progressively from non-university teaching to higher education. After several years working in Primary and Secondary Education, he joined the University of Zaragoza in the 2019–2020 academic year as an Associate Lecturer. He subsequently held a position as Interim Lecturer during the 2023–2024 academic year and currently serves as Assistant Professor.

Throughout his academic career, he has delivered more than 900 hours of university teaching across a wide range of subjects, including Physical Education in early childhood and primary education, sports and aquatic activities, exercise prescription, safety and first aid in physical activity, and theory and history of sport. In addition, he has supervised undergraduate and postgraduate dissertations, contributing to the academic development of students in different programs.

From a research perspective, his work focuses on sports performance and anthropometric analysis. He has authored more than 30 scientific publications, including articles published in journals indexed in the Journal Citation Reports (JCR) and several book chapters. His research impact is reflected in an h-index of 6 and more than 150 citations in Scopus.

He has actively participated in 26 national and international conferences, including three as an invited speaker, and has contributed to the scientific community as a member of organizing and scientific committees in international congresses. Furthermore, he has been involved in multiple research and innovation projects, including European Erasmus+ Sport initiatives, regional research programs, and knowledge transfer activities.

Finally, his academic profile has been strengthened through research stays at several institutions, including the University of Almería, the University of Seville, and INEFC Lleida, which have contributed to consolidating his experience in high-level research environments.

Specialization, scope of scientific or sport area

Sports science, performance analysis in team sports, basketball and football performance, biomechanical analysis, testing and diagnostics in sport, strength and conditioning.

Science, sports and practical experience

Researcher and practitioner in the field of performance analysis and diagnostics in team sports, with a strong focus on basketball and football. Author of more than 80 scientific papers published in international peer-reviewed journals indexed in Web of Science and Scopus. Extensive experience in applied sport science, including physical performance testing, biomechanical and situational analysis, and long-term athlete monitoring. Active involvement in national and international research and Erasmus+ projects, as well as professional experience as a basketball coach, ski instructor, and performance analyst working with youth and elite athletes.

Scientific/sports career

Senior Teaching Assistant at the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina). Researcher and visiting lecturer at Palacký University Olomouc (Czech Republic) and Lithuanian Sports University – LSU, Kaunas (Lithuania). Active participant and coordinator in multiple national and international sport science, education, and mobility projects, with a focus on evidence-based training, testing procedures, and applied performance diagnostics in team sports.