Physical Education used to be about the “physical” body and its influence on development of strong bodies and minds in young boys and girls, and men and women. The focus was on movement skill and the ability to perform exercises well with great posture. This was a source of pride in individuals. Unfortunately, this method was “overthrown” by a softer approach and the repercussions are being felt as our country is weaker, softer, and less fit than ever before.
Unfortunately, it takes a war for our country to realize how unfit we are as a nation. 7 out of 10 Americans between the ages of 17-24 have been denied entrance into the military due to poor physical, mental, and moral standards (Hafemeister, 2006, taken from Diane Bartholomew’s article Reshaping Physical Education for the 21st century). My father used to tell me this exact same thing. He mentioned how the government would have a big push in physical fitness due to the poor physical abilities of our young men and women rejected from the military.
In 2001, the California Department of Education performed a physical fitness assessment of more than 1 million students in grades 5, 7, and 9. Eighty percent of the students scored below the acceptable standard. This is alarming enough, but they also noted that when this fitness scores were compared to the academic scores there was a clear correlation between academic success and physical fitness. (Bartholomew 2006).
So what happened to physical education? Physical education prior to the 1920s was a very structured program on improving the physical body. The focus was on developing the ability to move well both on and off the ground (swinging, climbing…). This approach developed a well-balanced individual with sound posture. When a person feels good and carries themselves well physically, it helps esteem and confidence. Then came the change in philosophy…
Physical education teacher didn’t want to just be seen as “exercisers.” They wanted to evolve into teachers of lifetime sports, and competitive team sports. They wanted a softer approach of lifetime activities. Hans Kraus (orthopedic doctor who was a major influence on movement for physical fitness in our country) reported that the “New Physical Educator” didn’t want to be considered just an “exercise teacher.” The didn’t want to be looked at poorly by fellow instructors. They wanted to be considered teachers (Bartholomew 2006). In my opinion, this new mindset actually made the profession become worse at teaching then when the instructors had to teach proper movement and exercise.
You see (my father use to tell me, boy I wished I had listened more to him), physical education was about the physical body, the fitness levels, and the ability to move. This was the job of the physical education teacher. The role of sport was taught by the coaches during after-school athletics. But eventually the transition from only the coaches teaching sport skills was gone, and the physical educator now taught sport skills as well. To be honest with you, I can’t say this was a bad thing. I just think the role of teaching physical fitness should have never left our PE classes. It should have been combined with sport and lifetime activities. But as you can see by walking into school or recreation parks, kids are unfit and don’t know how to move, yet they are playing sports or at least trying.
Even President John F. Kennedy who was a big proponent of physical fitness said, “Intelligence and skill can only function at the peak of their capacity when the body is healthy and physically fit.” (Bartholomew 2006).
The “New Physical Education” focuses on individuality and thinking through problems. I can’t say that this is a bad thing either. I just don’t think it should be a sole philosophy of physical education. It has proven to undo the fabric of fitness. Kids need and want structure. There is nothing wrong with having a portion of physical education classes focus on correct exercising techniques and elevating the cardiovascular system to improve fitness. Without proper movement skills, posture, and endurance, eventually the lifetime activities and sports focus suffer anyway. It is time to get structure back into physical education in the form of organized teacher and student led exercising. This can consist of body weight strengthening through ground based exercises and climbing, strength training routines using light DBs, medicine balls, tubing or other free moving equipment. Conditioning exercises aimed at raising endurance capacity, speed and quickness routines aimed at improving athletic movements, flexibility and mobility, and many other forms of fitness.
When a sport unit is in the curriculum, the physical fitness component should be apart of the initial 5-10 minutes of class. I can hear the excuses now, but we don’t have that much time to include all these activities. A good teacher will structure into her class the exact exercises to be performed each day and get right to it. Don’t waste time on things that can be shortened or eliminated. The students should know where to go as soon as they walk into the gymnasium and be prepared to listen to instruction. Think of it this way, the sport unit will be dominated by the athletes in the class anyway. Sure you can teach the less athletic skills some rules and skills, but they still won’t have the “connection” to the sport like the athletes will. But if you teach them how to get physically fit, stronger, more endurance, and better posture you can make a change in their life at many levels. So if you are to compare what is more important, hands down physical fitness will win out every time. The kids that want sports can get involved in after-school athletics or join the youth leagues at the parks. The nonathletic kids need you to teach them to be fit and move well.
Having been a physical education teacher at more than one school, I know the difficulties in finding time for fitness during a sport or lifetime unit. It is up to you as a concerned, well-informed teacher to find the time so all students receive the benefit of a healthier, stronger, more confident, way of life through sound bodies.
Yours in Speed,
Lee – Speed Training Workouts
