Physical Education

In most educational systems, physical

education (PE), also called physical training or
gym, though each with a very different
connotation, is a course in the curriculum
which utilizes learning in the cognitive,
affective and psychomotor domains in a play or
movement exploration setting
The term physical education is most commonly
used in this way; however, this denotes rather that
“ they have participated in the subject area, not
studied it.”

Physical education has existed since earliest stages

of humanity, in areas as simple as the transmission
of knowledge of basic survival skills, such as
hunting. However, the real history of physical
education us in the changing methodologies used
to transmit physical skills and, to a lesser extent,
the varying intentions of the educator.
The first known literary reference to an athletic
competition is preserved in the Ancient Greek text,
the Iliad, by Homer. While by no means is this the
beginning of physical activity, it marks an important
point in the study of the history of physical
education.

Other cultures that existed before Greeks, including

ancient Chinese, Indian, and Egyptian civilizations
had tradition of physical education and activity, but
the Greek influence is argued to be the most
fundamental to how the discipline is viewed today.
The ancient Greek tradition of the Olympic
Games, which originated in the early 8th Century
BC, even continues today. The Father of Modern
Physical Education that we know of today was
Friedrich Ludwig Jahn. Although Jahn was highly
political within Germany, his contributions to
Physical Education (mostly in Gymnastics) as a
discipline are seen today.
 WHAT IS PHYSICAL EDUCATION?
Physical Education is the interdisciplinary study of all
areas of science relating to the transmission of physical
knowledge and skills to an individual or a group, the
application of these skills and their results.

Physical education is an important segment of general

education which aims to contribute to the total
development of the learner through participation in
selected activities. It provides opportunities to acquire
lifelong skills that are essential to his physical, mental,
social, and emotional development.
It can also be viewed as a program of activities in
a school curriculum that involves sports, games,
dance, gymnastics, and recreational activities.
Great emphasis is placed on motor skills, fitness,
health, recreation and safety.
OBJECTIVES OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION
The primary aims of physical education vary
historically, based on the needs of the time and
place. Often, many different types of physical
education occur simultaneously, some intentionally
and others not. Most modern school systems claim
their intent is to equip students with the
knowledge, skills, capacities, and values along
with the enthusiasm to maintain a healthy lifestyle
into adulthood.
Some schools also require physical education as a
way to promote weight loss in students. Activities
included in the program are designed to promote
physical fitness, to develop motor skills, to instill
knowledge and understanding of rules, concepts,
and strategies, and to teach students to work as
part of a team, or as individuals, in a wide variety
of competitive activities.
The following objective of Physical Education are
viewed in terms of their contribution to the
outcomes of education and which justify the
existence of physical education in the curriculum.
 PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
Through carefully selected physical education
activities, an individual who participates actively
will develop and maintain good health and high
level of physical fitness.

The acquisition of physical skills can motivate an

individual to participate further in physical
activities: hence, healthy growth and
development of each learner will be enhanced.
 SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Participation in Physical Education activities provides
opportunities for the acquisition and practice of desirable
social traits necessary for adjustments to happy living and to
the social life in general. Some worthwhile traits are:

•Friendliness
•Cooperation
•Respect for the rights of others
•Good sportsmanship
•Good leadership and followership
•Honesty in group competition
 EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The informal nature of physical education offers
opportunities for the development of expression and
emotional traits needed for emotional mastery like:

•Self confidence
•Self control
•Self reliance
•Courage
•Determination
•Personal Discipline
 MENTAL DEVELOPMENT
Through participation in Physical Education
activities the individual develops his mental
capacities as he learns the mechanical principles of
underlying movement, as the learner acquires
knowledge and understanding or rules and
strategies of games and sports as well as dance
instructions, as he/she discovers ways of improving
his/her movements in gymnastics and dance, and
the ability to analyze ad give judgments.
 LEGAL BASIS OF PHYSICAL
EDUCATION
Article 1 of the International Charter of Physical
Education and Sports, UNESCO, Paris, 1978 and
Recommendation 1, Interdisciplinary Regional
Meeting of Experts on Physical Education,
UNESCO, Brisbane Australia, 1982. States that:

“The practice of Physical Education and Sports is a

fundamental right for all..”
“And this right should not be treated as different in
principle from the right to adequate food, shelter, and
medical care.”

Article XIV, section 19, 1986 Constitution of the

republic of the Philippines –

“The state shall promote Physical Education and

encourage sports programs, league competitions, and
amateur sports including training for international
competition to foster self-discipline, teamwork, and
excellence for the development of a healthy and alert
citizenry.
“All educational institutions shall undertake
regular sports activities throughout the
country and in cooperation with athletic club
and other sectors.”
 VALUES OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION
The value of Physical Education activities are
found in the resulting development and
adjustment of the individual. Engaging in any
activity stimulates in some degree the four types
of development although different activities
emphasize different amounts. Regular exercise
and physical activity are extremely important and
beneficial for long-term health and well-being.
 HEALTH BENEFITS OF EXERCISE
AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
1. Reduce the risk of premature death.
2. Reduce the risk of developing and/or dying from
heart disease
3. Reduce high blood pressure or the risk of
developing high blood pressure.
4. Reduce high cholesterol or the risk of developing
high cholesterol.
5. Reduce the risk of developing colon cancer and
breast cancer
6. Reduce the risk of developing diabetes
7. Reduce or maintain body weight or body fat.
8. Build and maintain healthy muscles, bones, and
joints.
9. Reduce depression and anxiety.
10. Improve psychological well-being.
11. Enhance work, recreation, and sports
performance.
THE FOUR TYPES OF DEVELOPMENT
1. Organic – this is the development of
power and endurance of the heart, lungs,
heat-regulating mechanism, and digestive
and eliminating organs. These various
organs gain power and stamina from use.
2. Neuromuscular - the development of
skills and coordination required in the
mastery of life’s varied activities can be
directly attributed to physical education; also
to the development of strength in the
skeletal muscles used in such coordination.
This development starts with the skills
learned in the simple play and games of
childhood and increases gradually with the
more complex coordination of team and
individual sports of later years.
3. Interpretive – this type of development
strengthens the thinking, interpreting, and
problem-solving processes of individual. It
starts with the exploratory play of infancy and
childhood and continues through all physical
education activities. It is developed particularly
in team sports, through learning the rules and
signals and the special techniques such as skills
in pitching a curve ball; executing particular
football block, or diagnosing the opponents’
offense and defense quickly.
4. Emotional – The development and
maturing of impulses and emotions through
activities which give them expression under
natural controls such as officials, rules,
traditions, and the person’s desire to stay in
the game and play are inherent in team
sports where fear, anger, joy, and other
powerful emotions are experienced.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION: ITS ORIGIN
Originated from combinations of different Latin
and Greek words; But mainly the Greek. The
Greeks were the epitome (a Greek word
meaning prototype or abridgement) of
standards of physical training and culture) of the
standards of physical training and culture.
 Here is a list of words with their origins and
meanings:

Apparatus – from the Latin word “apparare”, to

prepare; a device or, a group of devices used for a
particular purpose.
Anthropomorphic – from the Greek words,
“anthropikos”, human being and “morphic” having
a specified shape or form.
Calisthenics – from the Greek words “kalos”,
beautiful and “sthenos” for strength; exercise
without the use of any apparatus.
Coordination – from the Latin word “ordinatus”,
“to arrange” the harmonious functioning of
muscles or groups of muscles in the execution of
movements.
Cardiovascular - from the Greek word “kardio”,
heart, and the Latin word “vasculum”, vessel;
relating to or involving the heart and the blood
vessel.
Exercise – from the Latin word “ex-” and “arcere”,
to restrain; bodily exertion for the sake of keeping
the organs and functions in a healthy state.
Flexibility – from the Latin word “flexus”; to bend
Gymnastics – from the Greek words “gumnos” or
sometimes “gymnos”, naked.
Gymnasium – from the Greek word “gumnasion”
or “gumnazein” meaning to exercise naked a place
where Greek youths exercised.
Kinesiology – from the Greek words “kinesis”,
movement and –ology for branch of learning.
Baron Nils Posse was the first to coin this word in
relation to his Swedish Gymnastics.
Pedagogue – from the Greek words “paido”, boy
and “agogos”, leader. It now means a school
teacher or an educator. It was literally a slave who
supervised children and took them to and from
school.
Pedagogy - from the Greek, the art or profession
of teaching.
Physical Education – from the Greek words
“physica”, physics and “educatio”; the training of
the bodily organs and powers with a view to the
promotion of health and vigor.
Physiology – from the Greek words “phusio”,
nature and ology branch of learning; the branch
of the biological sciences dealing with the
processes and functions of an organism. In
Physical Education it is mainly Human Physiology
which applies to a study of the functions of the
organs and tissues in man.