Physical education

In most educational systems, physical education (PE) is a course in the school curriculum which utilizes the learning medium of large-muscle activities in a play or movement exploration setting.

The primary aim of physical education is to equip students with the knowledge, skills, capacities, and values along with the enthusiasm to maintain a healthy lifestyle into adulthood, regardless of their physical abilities. Activities included in the program are designed to promote physical fitness, to develop motor skills, to instill knowledge and understanding of rules, concepts, and strategies, and to teach students to work as part of a team, or as individuals, in a wide variety of playlike and competitive activities.

Physical education is not so much education of the physical, as education through the physical.

The better programs require, or encourage, participants to wear standardized uniforms or loose-fitting, light clothing that promotes free movement, safety and hygiene.

Curriculum

Some popular US physical education activities include:

• Badminton
• Basketball
• Capture the flag
• Dodgeball
• American Football
• Gymnastics
• Field Hockey
• Soccer
• Square dancing
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Track and field
• Volleyball
• Weight lifting
• Wrestling

In most states and provinces in Canada and the United States of America, physical education is a required course from grades 1 to 6, although states and school districts can set their own requirements (and many districts with limited budgets are cutting back on physical education).

In Canada, physical education is required up to grade 10, although some provinces are considering extending this to grade 12. In the United States, individual states determine the requirement for physical education in their schools; requirements in middle schools and high schools vary widely from state to state.

Sports played in other countries

• In the UK, different sports like netball and rugby are played.
• In Romania and Moldova, oina (which is similar to baseball), rugby, basketball and soccer are popular sports played in PE classes.
• In New Zealand and Australia, softball, cricket, and sometimes rugby, are played.
• In Japan, physical education is most likely more like what the Americans call health classes, although some Japanese high schools, like ones in Hokkaido, have the American version.
• In Sweden, sports like floorball and brännboll are played, along with internationally more well-known sports such as soccer, basketball and volleyball.