The Cooper Institute

The Cooper Institute (CI), established in 1970, is a 501.c.3. nonprofit research and education organization dedicated globally to preventive medicine. The Institute’s founder, Kenneth H. Cooper, M.D., M.P.H., the “Father of Aerobics,” was an Air Force physician who became interested in the role of exercise in preserving health. When he published his first best seller, Aerobics, in 1968, he introduced a new word and was the spark for millions to become active. The Cooper Institute’s work is diverse and focuses on advancing preventive health practices for children and adults. Our scientific and education assets serve as the foundation for all we do.