Physical Education

What is Physical Education?

Physical education is the teaching and leading of physical activity in a school gymnasium or other school setting. The goal of physical education department is to improve and maintain students' current health and set them on a path to maintain a healthy lifestyle throughout their lives. The goal of physical education classes is to introduce students to the basic elements of exercise that will lead to a healthy lifestyle. Students can get exercise and increase their psychomotor abilities by playing a variety of traditional sports such as basketball and soccer, and by participating in exercise activities such as lifting weights and aerobics.

Physical education teachers may also use sports and physical activities to teach about the cultural and historical aspects of sports. In some classes, especially in elementary schools, students also learn about health and nutrition.

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. We must understand physical fitness to understand what physical education. 

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. The fitness component s addressed by aerobic activities like 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. An activity that helps to develop endurance is long-distance running.

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.