Foreword
James L. Oschman, Ph.D.
Scientific research has the potencial to in­fluence the public’s awareness ofRolfing. The following project could do this in a dramatic way. This opportunity has arisen as a consequence of a number of years of effort on the part ofOwen Mar­cus to establish a working relationship with highly respected research and ath­letic groups at Arizona State University
(ASU).
Owen has now worked with a num­ber ofOlympic athletes and has wit­nessed the effects ofRolfing on their performances. White this is very satisfying in itself, Owen has recognized that the ex­perience can be shared more widely through research that documents the changes taking place.
This research is highly cost-effective since most of the expense would be shared by the university departments in­volved. Toe Rolflnstitute’s Research Committee has recognized that one of the best ways we can promote research is by encouraging M.S. and Ph.D. thesis projects on Rolfing. Most of the modest funding required for this study would support the work of one or two graduate students who would make the project a part of their thesis work. This is an economical way to initiate research projects, and it results in professional graduate researchers with an interest in doing more studies of Rolfing.