Physical Education

Position
Physical Education is "education through the physical". It aims to develop students physical competence and knowledge of
movement and safety, and their ability to use these to perform in a wide range of activities associated with the development of an
active and healthy lifestyle. It also develops students confidence and generic skills, especially those of collaboration, communication,
creativity, critical thinking and aesthetic appreciation. These, together with the nurturing of positive values and attitudes in PE,
provide a good foundation for students lifelong and life-wide learning.

Definition of Physical Education

Kids, as well as adults, benefit from regular exercise. Health benefits from regular exercise include: stronger muscles and bones,
increased coordination and energy, and decreased risk of developing chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes. For most kids, exercise
means being physically active during play, recess, and physical education class, also known as P.E. Physical education contributes to
each child's total growth and development.
Physical education is a course taught in school that focuses on developing physical fitness and the ability to perform and enjoy day-to-
day physical activities with ease. Kids also develop skills necessary to participate in a wide range of activities, such as soccer,
basketball, or swimming. Regular physical education classes prepare kids to be physically and mentally active, fit, and healthy into
adulthood. An effective physical education program should include engaging lessons, trained P.E. teachers, adequate instructional
periods, and student evaluation.

Physical education is a course that focuses on developing physical fitness in the youth. Same as Music, Gym and Math, this is a

required course in primary and secondary school. Most of the time, it is also required in college.

To understand what physical education, we must understand physical fitness which it intends to promote. Physical fitness is

comprised of the following:

Cardiovascular fitness - This is the ability of your heart and lungs to deliver the oxygen your body needs for its daily tasks. This is the
fitness component that is addressed by such aerobic activities as brisk walking, jogging, running, dancing and swimming.

Strength - This is the amount physical power that a muscle or group of muscles can use against a weight or resistance. This is

addressed by such activities as weight lifting and body weight training.

Endurance -This is the ability of a muscle or group of muscles to repeat movements or hold a position over a certain period of time.

Long-distance running is an activity that helps to develop endurance.

Flexibility - This refers to the body's range of movement. Pilates, yoga and gymnastics help promote this particular fitness

component.

Body composition - This refers to the ratio of the body's fat component vs. its lean mass. Exercises that address cardiovascular

fitness, strength, endurance and flexibility also promote the reduction of fat and the build-up of muscle.

Objectives in General
1. Improvement in the Fields of Education:

Today, physical education is required part of most school curricula, and a number of colleges and universities offer degrees in the field.
Physical education classes generally include formal exercises, sports, and contests; although an increasing emphasis has been given to
such Asian techniques as yoga, karate, and judo. The American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (founded
1885) is concerned with improving its fields of education and with increasing the public's knowledge and appreciation of physical
education.

2. Improvement in Life-Style and Social Relationship:

Studies in the Health and Physical Education learning area provide the potential for a better quality of life for all students, now and in
the future.

Effective interpersonal skills are essential for participation in meaningful and fulfilling relationships in family, school, recreation, work
and community contexts. Interpersonal skills such as assertive communication, negotiation, conflict resolution, cooperation and
leadership enable students to act responsibly and contribute effectively to groups and teams.

3. Individualistic Improvements:
(a) Organic Development:

The development of young people in an increasingly complex and diverse society can be characterised by rapid change, sedentary work
and leisure practices, changing family structures and roles, and the promotion of unhealthy behaviors by various sources.
 The Health and Physical Education learning area empowers students to critically evaluate the opportunities and challenges associated
with living in modern society and teaches them how to take action to avoid injury or reduce threats to their health and well-being.
Without the benefits provided by this learning area, individuals face a reduced quality of life and society increasing health care and
social costs.

(b) Neuro-Muscular Development:

Students require movement, skills in order to perform competently in physical activities. Experience in fundamental movement skills in
the early years of schooling supports the development of more specific skills in later childhood and participation in sport and recreation
as lifelong pursuits.

Students who enjoy, participate in, appreciate and are skillful in play, games, sports, dance and outdoor recreation develop confidence
and self-esteem.

(c) Personality Development: Sports and physical education have great role in an individual's personal development. Through
participation in sport, recreation and other physical activities, students improve their physical skills and fitness, and become aware of
the important role that motivation, enthusiasm, initiative, self-discipline, self-respect, cooperation and the assumption of responsibility
play in the maintenance of healthy society.

All students develop proficient self-management skills for their own benefit, and for the benefit of the communities in which they live
and work. Being able to set and achieve personal goals; plan, implement and evaluate decisions; develop self-esteem, and manage stress
and cope with change and conflict are essential self-management skills that underpin a healthy and active lifestyle.

Through participation in classroom interactions, work placements, sporting, recreational and other physical activities, students develop
and practice these skills. Students who possess sound self-management skills are better able to identify and avoid potential health risk,
enhance their mental health and well-being, as well as planning for their future.

4. Improvement in the Sense of Responsibility:

Improving students' knowledge about health issues and practices does not guarantee they will lead healthy lifestyles. However, students
who are able to identify and develop their own attitudes and values associated with leading a healthy lifestyle are better equipped to
make personally and socially responsible decisions.

This has the potential to enhance the quality of their own and other people's lives. Students who are able to respect the attitudes and
values of others are well placed to contribute effectively to home, school, work and community life. Study in this learning area
encourages them to exhibit attitudes and values that are consistent with lifelong participation in sport and physical activity, the
prevention of ill-health and the acceptance of personal responsibility for their actions.

Benefits of Regular Physical Activity

Helps build and maintain healthy bones and muscles.

Helps reduce the risk of developing obesity and chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and colon cancer.
Reduces feelings of depression and anxiety and promotes psychological well-being.
Benefits of Physical Education

We know that physical activity can benefit participants in many ways. These benefits are not however, natural by-products of random
participation. Physical education programs must be designed specifically to reach selected objectives. Some of the beneficial outcomes
which can be achieved though participation in the appropriate kinds and amounts of physical activity are:

Reduced risk of heart disease:

Physical education can counteract major risk factors of coronary heart disease: obesity, inactivity and high blood pressure.
Improved physical fitness:
A good program improves children's muscular strength, flexibility, muscular endurance, body composition (fat-to-muscle ratio) and
cardiovascular endurance.
Stronger bones:
Regular physical activity increases bone density to create a sturdy skeleton.
Weight regulation:
A good program can help children regulate their weight by burning calories, toning their bodies and improving their overall body
composition.
Health promotion:
Appropriate physical activity prevents the onset of some diseases and postpones the debilitating effects of the aging process.
Improved judgment:
Quality physical education can influence moral development. Students have the opportunity to assume leadership, cooperate with
others and accept responsibility for their own behavior.
Self discipline:
A good program teachers children to follow rules and established procedures and to be responsible for the own health-related fitness.
Skill development:
Physical education develops skills which allow enjoyable and rewarding participation in physical activities. New skills become easier to
learn.
Experience setting goals:
Physical education gives children the time and encouragement they need to set and strive for personal, achievable goals.
Improved self-confidence and self-esteem:
Physical education instills a strong sense of self-worth in children. They can become more confident, assertive, emotionally stable,
independent and self-controlled.
Stress reduction:
Physical activity is an outlet for releasing tension and anxiety.
Strengthened peer relationships:
Physical education can be a major force in helping children socialize with others more successfully. Being able to participate in games
and sports is an important part of fitting in, especially for those in late childhood and early adolescence.
Reduced risk of depression:
Physical education is effective in the promotion of mental health.
More active lifestyles:
Physical education promotes a more positive attitude towards physical activity.