Pauline Potts

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 then studied a Physical Therapy Degree offered by the US Army Medical Field Services School in Texas.¹ 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. Potts is best known for co-developing the exercise technique of aerobics with Kenneth H. Cooper, who published a book on the topic in 1968²