Importance of 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 state/national standards and guidelines. A high quality physical education program offers children opportunities to develop the skills, concepts, and dispositions 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 student wellness. It doesn’t matter if the child excels in every other subject in school and grows up to become a successful professional, with poor health any professional achievement becomes secondary.

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 it ultimately comes down to the willingness of the physical education teacher(s) to do their best no matter the situation.

​That being said, REAL teachers still need our support and appreciation. This can be in the form of equipment (every jump-rope, pedometer, heart-rate monitor, and home-made scoop catcher counts), classroom assistance, time and funding for professional development, and by advocating for quality physical education at the local and state/national levels.
Open as PDF
Current inactivity pandemic
​Student Obesity and Physical Activity Levels
School Policies
Trouble with Military Recruitment
CAMPAIGNS TO INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
​Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP): "Schools play a vital role in ensuring children and adolescents get the nationally recommended 60 minutes of physical activity each day...A CSPAP is a multi-component approach by which school districts and schools use all opportunities for students to be physically active, meet the nationally-recommended 60 minutes of physical activity each day, and develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to be physically active for a lifetime. A CSPAP reflects strong coordination and synergy across all of the components: physical education as the foundation; physical activity before, during, and after school; staff involvement; and family and community engagement."
Guidelines and Toolkits

​Online Campaigns
  • Active Schools: Join a network of parents, schools, and partner organizations who are changing the way we prioritize physical activity in schools. It means making connections.
  • Voice for Healthy Kids: Supports advocacy campaigns, creates visibility for issues that affect children's health, mobilizes communities, helps to advance science and research via communications and messaging expertise, and fosters partnerships.

Benefits of Physical Education

​Documentaries on PE and PA
benefits of physical education - Research
PHYSICAL EDUCATION aS A SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUE
Editorials
​Research
Benefits of Physical Activity for Schools​​
See our page Research on the Benefits of Physical Activity for Schools​ for downloadable PDFs on various topics ​related to education (attendance, behavior, mental health, sleep, etc.)
The Brain-Changing Benefits of Exercise
Run, Jump, Learn! How Exercise Can Transform...

​SPARK: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain: "A groundbreaking exploration of the connection between exercise and the brain’s performance that shows how even moderate exercise will supercharge mental circuits to beat stress, sharpen thinking, enhance memory, and much more."
Spark Learning and Creativity
The Neuroscience of Movement with Dr. John Ratey
Physical Literacy and it's importance
​Research indicates that one of the leading factors for participating in physical activity is one's competence and self-efficacy in that activity (see box below for research on motor competence and self-efficacy). With each skill mastered, new opportunities for physical activity are opened. ​This finding supports the need for attaining physical literacy in order to have the best chance at being physically active for a lifetime. 
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​The tables below list some of the most utilized skill themes and the physical activities that require them.
​Physical Literacy (Playlist)
 
Sport Skills are Life Skills
 
Additional Resources
MOTOR COMPETENCE AND SELF EFFICACY - RESEARCH
Research has shown that one's perceived skill level is a predictor in physical activity engagement throughout their lifetime:
​NATIONAL GUIDELINES AND RECOMMENDATIONS
​"The Every Student Succeeds Act (2015) identifies school health ​and physical education as part of a student’s 'well-rounded education.'"

"SHAPE America 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" (SHAPE America).
POSITION STATEMENTS
  • 2016 SHAPE of the Nation Report: "SHAPE America and the American Heart Association support the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s recommendation that children and adolescents (ages 6-17) do 60 minutes or more of daily physical activity...recommend that schools provide 150 minutes per week of instructional physical education for elementary school children, and 225 minutes per week for middle and high school students throughout the school year."
  • ACHPER Physical Education and Recreation Position Paper: "ACHPER believes that an educated nation, comprising active and healthy young people is the best investment we can make for the future. School Health and Physical Education teaching is central to the development of children and youth skills, knowledge and habits of mind that lead to active and healthy living."
  • afPE Health Position Paper: "Physical education contributes to public health and personal well-being through the physical learning context that it provides for every child. Health and well-being should be viewed holistically to comprise physical, psychological/mental and social aspects of health which contribute to people’s quality of life. afPE recommends that limited and limiting views of children’s health and well-being which reduce health to a focus on appearance, weight, size and shape are avoided."
  • Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs - A Guide for Schools: "A Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP) is a multi component approach by which school districts and schools use all opportunities for students to be physically active, meet the nationally-recommended 60 minutes of physical activity each day, and develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to be physically active for a lifetime."
  • International Position Statement on Physical Education: "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..."
  • Learning for Life - Physical Education in Public Schools: "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."
  • Physical Fitness and Activity in Schools: "Establish policies that promote enjoyable, lifelong physical activity. These include: Comprehensive, preferably daily, physical education for children in grades kindergarten through 12…"
  • Quality Physical Education - Guidelines for Policy Makers: "These Guidelines have been developed, in partnership with the European Commission, the International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education, IOC, UNDP, UNICEF, UNOSDP and WHO, to inform the provision of quality physical education across the full age range from early years through secondary education...This is also a strong recognition of physical education as a driver for promoting gender equality, social inclusion, non-discrimination and sustained dialogue in our societies."
  • Strategies to Increase Physical Activity Among Youth: "PE provides students the opportunity to obtain the knowledge and skills needed to establish and maintain a physically active lifestyle through childhood and adolescence and into adulthood. PE can enhance students’ knowledge and skills about why and how they should be physically active, increase participation in physical activity, and increase fitness."