The Importance of Quality Physical Education

Of the many subjects children study in school, there may be none more important than physical education. However it must be of high quality and aligned with our state/national standards and guidelines. In a high quality physical education program, children develop the skills, concepts and values needed to be physically active for life. Sufficient, regular physical activity not only helps prevent major diseases but it also promotes learning, reduces stress, anxiety and depression, and improves overall wellness. It doesn’t matter if the child excels in every other subject in school and grows up to become a successful doctor, lawyer or engineer, with poor health any professional achievement becomes secondary.
2010 Obesity Rates by State
On our site we provide tools and resources to support REAL quality physical education teachers and programs. There are many factors that contribute to the ease of implementing and sustaining a quality program, including the involvement of the administration, parents, and community. However, the bottom line is the willingness of the physical education teachers to do their best no matter the situation. REAL teachers do what they can with what they have, no excuses! Our REAL Teacher’s Pledge states this clearly and REAL teachers need our support. At the very least, letting them know that their efforts are appreciated. Better yet, support them in the form of equipment (every jump-rope, pedometer, heart-rate monitor, and home-made scoop catcher counts), classroom assistance, and time and funding for professional development.
 
For more information, see AAHPERD's webpages on the 2012 Shape of the Nation Report
The Future Costs of Obesity: National and State Estimates of the Impact of Obesity on Direct Health Care Expenses
(November 2009). United Health Foundation & the American Public Health Association and Partnership for Prevention.

"No Recess" - The Movie

"We Need More PE"

Top 15 Reasons for Quality Physical Education

Le Masurier, G., & Corbin, C. (2006). Top 10 Reasons for Quality Physical Education. JOPERD: The Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 77(6), 44-53. 
Corkran, M (2011, January 25). Top 10 Reasons to Keep Physical Education Teachers/Specialists Teaching PE during Budget Deficits. 
  1. Regular Physical Activity Helps Prevent Disease
  2. Regular Physical Activity Promotes Lifetime Wellness
  3. Quality Physical Education Can Help Fight Obesity
  4. Quality Physical Education Can Help Promote Lifelong Physical Fitness
  5. Quality Physical Education Provides Unique Opportunities for Activity
  6. Quality Physical Education Teaches Self-Management and Motor Skills
  7. Physical Activity and Physical Education Promote Learning
  8. Regular Physical Activity Participation Makes Economic Sense
  9. Physical Education Is Widely Endorsed
  10. Quality Physical Education Helps to Educate the Total Child
  1. Quality Physical Education Provides Opportunities to Develop Social Skills
  2. Quality Physical Educators Develop Strong Interpersonal Relationships with Students
  3. Quality Physical Educators Inspire Students and Provide Them with Meaningful Experiences
  4. Quality Physical Educators are Involved in School Wide Events
  5. Quality Physical Education Provides All Students with Opportunities to be Involved in Sport, Regardless of Their Financial Resources
***See the other 5 reasons in the article***
 
See more reasons for quality physical education on our "Research on the Benefits of Quality Physical Education" webpage

Who Supports Physical Education?

  • Active Living Research: “The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently released national health objectives for 2020 with recommendations that underscore the importance of physical activity in schools, including daily physical education, regular recess, and access to physical play and exercise spaces during non-school hours and in the summer.”
  • American Academy of Pediatrics: “Establish policies that promote enjoyable, lifelong physical activity. These include: Comprehensive, preferably daily, physical education for children in grades kindergarten through 12…”
  • American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, and American Heart Association (2): “Daily quality physical education in the nation’s schools is an important part of a student’s comprehensive, well-rounded education program and a means of positively affecting life-long health and well-being. The optimal physical education program will foster a lifetime commitment to physical activity as part of a healthy lifestyle. Physically active and educated children are more likely to thrive academically and socially. Through effective physical education, children learn how to incorporate safe and healthy activities into their lives. Physical education is an integral part of developing the “whole” child in social settings and the learning environment…The national recommendation for physical education is 150 minutes per week in elementary and 225 minutes per week in middle and high schools. The ACS, ADA, and AHA will continue to support these recommendations as they are revised and updated with the evolving science.”
  • Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): "Schools can promote physical activity through comprehensive school physical activity programs, including recess, classroom-based physical activity, intramural physical activity clubs, interscholastic sports, and physical education. Schools should ensure that physical education is provided to all students in all grades and is taught by qualified teachers."
  • Leadership for Healthy Communities: “In light of what research tells us about the value of regular physical activity, schools that eliminate recess, physical education and other forms of physical activity may be missing opportunities to increase students’ academic performance…Require at least 30 minutes of quality physical activity, daily, in schools; Include physical education as a core requirement in curriculum…”
  • International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE): “Physical education in school is the most effective and inclusive means of providing all children, whatever their ability/disability, sex, age, cultural, race/ethnicity, religious or social background, with the skills, attitudes, values, knowledge and understanding for lifelong participation in physical activity and sport. It is the only school subject whose primary focus is on the body, physical activity, physical development and health; and helps children to develop the patterns of and interest in physical activity, which are essential for healthy development and which lay the foundations for adult healthy lifestyles.”
  • National Association of Sport and Physical Education (NASPE): "NASPE recommends that schools provide 150 minutes of instructional physical education for elementary school children, and 225 minutes for middle and high school students per week for the entire school year. A quality physical education program provides learning opportunities, appropriate instruction, meaningful and challenging content  and student and program assessment."