Physical education

In most educational systems, physical education (PE) is a course in the 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

The physical education curriculum is designed to allow students to experience at least a minimum exposure to the following categories of activities: aquatics, conditioning activities, gymnastics, individual/dual sports, team sports, and rhythms and dance. Students are encouraged to contunue to explore those activites in which they have a primary interest. In these areas, a planned sequence of learning experiences should support a progression of development.

Some popular US physical education activities include:

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.

History of Physical education

Physical Education as an academic discipline

The academic discipline of physical education (often styled variously as kinesiology, human performance etc.) is taught as a field of study at the undergraduate and graduate levels in colleges and universities around the world. Both teaching and non-teaching degree programs are offered through the doctoral level. The professional discipline is supported by regional, national, and international associations (See External links). Literature in the discipline and subdisciplines (exercise physiology, pedagogy, biomechanics, etc.) is reported through numerous scholarly journals (e.g., International Review of Sport Sociology).

See Kinesiology.

References

C. Jensen & S. Overman. Administration and Management of Physical Education and Athletic Programs. 4th edition. Waveland Press, 2003.

J. Stillwell & C. Willgoose. The Physical Education Curriculum. 5th edition. Waveland Press, 2002.

D. Siedentop. Introduction to Physical Education, Fitness, and Sport. McGraw Hill, 2003

D. Van Dalen. A World History of Physical Education: Cultural, Philosophical, Comparative. 2nd edition. Prentice-Hall, 1971.

External links

Organizations

American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance <http://www.aahperd.org>

Canadian Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance <http://www.cahperd.ca>

Society of State Directors of Health, Physical Education & Recreation <http://www.thesociety.org/>