What Is Physical Education?

instruction in the development and care of the body ranging from simple calisthenic exercises to a course of study providing training in hygiene, gymnastics, and the performance and management of athletic games

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.

Students of Music, Gym and Math often have to be challenged, in order to be interested. To break the monotony of the traditional Physical Education courses, many schools have updated their programs. These are some of the trends that are pervading the Physical Education programs across the country:

The inclusion of activities that the students can use for life, like brisk walking, Frisbee and bowling. The principle behind this is that if students learn to like these activities early, they can easily adopt these into their current lifestyle and even carry them into adulthood.

The inclusion of non-traditional sports - This makes Physical Education a cultural immersion at the same time. It teaches cultural sensitivity and can be a lot of fun.

Patterning the Physical Education program after health club programs - The advantage of this is that the student is exposed to a whole variety of activities that can only make Physical Education more fun for her. Here, the student may do Tae-bo one day and do yoga the next. The combination of cardio and strength training activities also promote overall fitness.

Adopting a sports league model - In this scenario, the Physical Education class is run like a sports league. Students take turns playing the roles of referees, players, scorers and coaches. This aims to develop the students into better-rounded, balanced individuals.

Including martial arts and self-defense - Not only do these activities capture the interest of the students - they also promote their safety and well-being. This is a practical improvement on the usual Physical Education program.

Inclusions of health and nutrition topics - Most Physical Education programs in the US include health and nutrition topics such as the following: hygiene, stress and anger management, self-esteem and bullying. Some states even require that Physical Education teachers are also certified as Health teachers.

Exposure to technological enhancements - Students are taught how to use modern gym equipment as well as other fitness-related devices such as pedometers and heart-rate monitors.

Although the primary goal of Physical Education is still to promote the physical fitness and well-being of each student, all these trends and advancements have changed the face of Physical Education forever. Music, Gym and Math will never be the same!

Physical fitness

Physical fitness is a general state of health and well-being or specifically the ability to perform aspects of sports or occupations. Physical fitness is generally achieved through correct nutrition, exercise, hygiene and rest. It is a set of attributes or characteristics that people have or achieve that relates to the ability to perform physical activity.

Before the industrial revolution, fitness was the capacity to carry out the day’s activities without undue fatigue. However with automation and changes in lifestyles physical fitness is now considered a measure of the body’s ability to function efficiently and effectively in work and leisure activities, to be healthy, to resist hypokinetic diseases, and to meet emergency situations

7 Reasons Why Physical Education is Important in School

Are you looking for information about the importance of physical education in schools and why it should be maintained and emphasized? Do you want a healthy active lifestyle for your kids? Then this article can help you convince your kids thatexercising and participation especially in school PE classes is important.

Physical education plays a vital role in the students’ development and growth. According to recent medical studies, physical well being of a student is directly related to his or her performance whether in class or in the office. The article will give you reasons to agree.

1. It’s a link to good   health .

The value of physical   fitness  can never be overstated. It’s only in physical educational classrooms that students learn the value of taking care of themselves thru proper grooming, healthy   eating  and regular exercise.

2. It’s a preventive measure against disease.

Many doctors today agree that obesity is a serious health risk. Without any form of diet management and control with the numerous processed food students intake everyday compounded by a sedentary lifestyle, a student’s health can easily be at risk to many diseases like chronic heart   disease , hypertension and diabetes. Physical education in school is a preventive measure to teach students the value of regular exercise.

3. It’s a program for muscle strength and fitness.

Physical education develops the students’ motor skills and hand-eye coordination. It also develops the upper body muscles through activities like doing push ups as well the lower body muscles through stationary jumping jacks, 3min running and jumping exercises. Programs usually have core training exercises also like doing abdominal crunches.

4. It promotes academic learning.

Physical health allows students to function even better in classrooms. A good cardiovascular system developed from regular exercise promotes excellent blood and oxygen circulation. This means more nutrients circulate through out the body which includes the brain. This circulation produces longer attention span during classes allowing longer concentration and absorption.

5. It builds self esteem.

Students who are active in physical activities like basketball, volleyball, martial arts and running just to name a few are more confident with themselves

according to most social school studies. It’s probably because of the self discipline and dedication to excel in a sport that brings out the best in students. In school, the physical education program introduces these sport activities to students allowing them to make choices to which sport areas they want to get involved in.

6. It develops cooperation, teamwork and sportsmanship skill.

Most physical education programs are holistic. The program allows student to interact together to a common goal and that is to win and excel physically. It brings out the competitive sides of students working both body and mind but also promotes sportsmanship.

7. It promotes a physically active lifestyle.

The purpose of physical education is to instill in students, at an early age, the value of self preservation and choosing a lifestyle that is good for both the mind and body.

11 Components of Physical Fitness

Our Personal Fitness Trainers incorporate all components of physical fitness      into our clients’ training programs. Physical fitness is defined as being in a general state of health and well-being or specifically the ability to perform aspects of sports or occupations. Being at a high level of physical fitness can be achieved through a combination of regular physical exercise and a healthy diet.

The 11 components of physical fitness play an important role in one’s daily activities. Improving upon all areas of physical fitness will help you to improve daily activities and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

The 11 components of physical fitness are comprised of 5 components that are considered the “most important” for being healthy and physically fit and 6 components that are more skill-related. The 5 components of physical fitness that are most important and can be directly measured are: cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and body compostion. Then there are 6 components of physical fitness that are more skill-related. These include: agility, balance, coordination, power, reaction time, and speed.

11 Components of Physical Fitness Definitions and Examples:

1. Agility – The ability to stop, start, and change directions quickly (example: a football player cutting across the field or a gymnast doing a floor routine)

2. Balance    – Controlling body positions while standing still or moving (example: a gymnast on a balance beam or a one leg deadlift pictured here)

3. Body Composition – The ratio of muscle to fat in the body. Body Composition can be measured by skinfold calipers, bioelectric impedence, and hydrostatic weighing.

4. Cardiovascular Endurance      – Engaging in physical activity for long periods of time (example: a cross-country runner or marthon runner) Cardiovascular Endurance can be measured by a stress test on a treadmill or stationary bike.

5. Coordination – Making movements work together smoothly (example: performing a squat on a BOSU while doing a shoulder press)

6. Flexibility    – Moving joints through a wide range of motion (example: a gymnast doing a leg split)Flexibility can be measured by a sit-and-reach test.

7. Muscular Endurance      – Using muscles repetitively without fatiguing (example: long-distance cycling or using a rowing machine) Muscular Endurance can be measured by a 60 second push-up test.

8. Muscular Strength      – Produces force using muscles (example: performing a bench press or pull-up)Muscular Strength can be measured by performing a 1 rep max test on the bench press.

9. Power – The ability to use muscle strength quickly (example: plyometric or jumping exercises)

10. Reaction Time – How quickly an individual responds to a stimulus (example: playing tennis/table tennis or a baseball player swinging at a pitch)

11. Speed – Performing a movement of covering a distance in a short period of time (example: sprinting or speed skating) Speed can be measured by timing a 40 yard dash.

COMPONENTS OF PHYSICAL FITNESS

Health Related components: Those factors that are related to how well the systems of your body work

1. Cardiovascular Fitness: The ability of the circulatory system (heart and blood vessels) to supply oxygen to working muscles during exercise.

2. Body Composition: The relative percentage of body fat compared to lean body mass (muscle, bone, water,etc)

3. Flexibility: The range of movement possible at various joints.

4. Muscular strength: The amount of force that can be produced by a single contraction of a muscle

5. Muscular endurance: The ability of a muscle group to continue muscle movement over a length of time.

 Skill Related Components: Those aspects of fitness which form the basis for successful sportor activity participation.

1. Speed: The ability to move quickly from one point to another in a straight line

2. Agility: The ability of the body to change direction quickly

3. Balance: The ability to maintain an upright posture while still or moving

4. Coordination: Integration with hand and/or foot movements with the input of the senses.

5. Reaction Time: Amount of time it takes to get moving.

6. Power: The ability to do strength work at an explosive pace.

Physical fitness objectives and outcomes:

Students will explain the benefits of exercise to their physical, mental, and social health. (Comprehension)

Students will label and describe the components of physical fitness. (Knowledge, comprehension)

Students will explain and apply the benefits of exercise to one’s physical, mental, and social health. (Comprehension, application)

Students will demonstrate and distinguish the difference between anaerobic and aerobic exercises. (Application, analysis)

tudents will identify basic principles of exercise. (Comprehension)

Students will discuss the importance of setting realistic fitness goals. (Comprehension)

Students will practice and create realistic fitness program. (Application, synthesis)

Students will describe the six basic measures of skills-related fitness. (Comprehension)

Students will assess their abilities at each of the skills. (Evaluation)

Students will differentiate lifestyle and sports activities. (Analysis)

Students will describe most common injuries that occur during exercise. (Comprehension)

Students will demonstrate and practice ways to avoid risk and injury during exercise. (Application)

Students will practice treating minor injuries. (Application)

Students will define the function of the skeletal system. (Knowledge)

Students will describe the structure and function of bones. (Knowledge, comprehension)

Students will compare the various types of joints. (Evaluation)

Students will identify, choose, and arrange ways to care for the skeletal system. (Knowledge, comprehension, synthesis)

Students will describe problems of the joints and bones. (Knowledge, comprehension)

Students will explain how nutrition and exercise are important to healthy bones. (Knowledge, comprehension)

Students will be able to name and choose two foods that are good sources of calcium and phosphorus. (Knowledge, comprehension, application)

Students will name and demonstrate two ways to avoid injury to bones while exercising. (Knowledge, comprehension, application)

Students will define the structure and function of muscles. (Knowledge)

Students will describe what causes muscles to contract. (Knowledge, comprehension)

Students will identify and use ways to care for muscles. (Knowledge, comprehension, application)

Students will describe problems of the muscular system. (Knowledge, comprehension)

Students will identify, describe, and label the largest muscles on the poster. (Knowledge, comprehension)

Students will be able to describe and draw what happens when biceps muscle contracts. (Knowledge, comprehension, application)

Students will be able to name similarities and differences of skeletal and muscular systems. (Knowledge, comprehension, analysis, evaluation)