Colonel Pauline "Polly" Potts (1926- 4 June 2013) was a scientist and physical therapist assisting with a space program, best known for co-creating aerobics. Potts studied her BSc and MSc from

Southern Illinois University Southern Illinois University is a system of public universities in the southern region of the U.S. state of Illinois. Its headquarters is in Carbondale, Illinois. Board of trustees The university is governed by the nine member SIU Board of Tr ...

then studied a Physical Therapy Degree offered by the US Army Medical Field Services School in Texas. After graduating she acted at the chief of Physical Therapy in various US Airforce hospitals, eventually becoming a Colonel. Potts then became the physical therapist developing exercise programs for weightless environment for astronauts during space exploration, including the

project Mercury Project Mercury was the first human spaceflight program of the United States, running from 1958 through 1963. An early highlight of the Space Race, its goal was to put a man into Earth orbit and return him safely, ideally before the Soviet Un ...

. Potts is best known for co-developing the exercise technique of

aerobics Aerobics is a form of physical exercise that combines rhythmic aerobic exercise with stretching and strength training routines with the goal of improving all elements of fitness (flexibility, muscular strength, and cardio-vascular fitness). It ...

with

Kenneth H. Cooper Kenneth H. Cooper (born March 4, 1931, Oklahoma City) is a doctor of medicine and former Air Force lieutenant colonel from Oklahoma, who pioneered the benefits of doing aerobic exercise for maintaining and improving health. In 1966 he coined the t ...

, who published a book on the topic in 1968

References

American women nurses United States Army officers 1926 births 2013 deaths 20th-century American women scientists 21st-century American women scientists {{US-Army-bio-stub