THE IMPORTANCE OF
PHYSICAL EDUCATION IN
SCHOOLS
High School Administrators
KYLE MUCKLEY
THE FACTS
* The percentage of overweight children and adolescents in the US has
nearly tripled since the early 1970’s
* According to the YRBSS most recent national survey in 2013, 13.7
percent of high school students were obese, and 16.6 percent were
overweight.
* One in three U.S. kids is overweight or obese, but only six states adhere
to standards from the National Association of Sports and Physical
Education
Katie - February 15, 2011
THE FACTS
> There was an increase from 1999 to 2013 in the prevalence of students
nationwide who were obese (10.6 percent to 13.7 percent) and who
were overweight (14.2 percent to 16.6 percent)
> Childhood obesity has been linked to
• diabetes,
• high blood pressure
• depression
• anxiety
• poor academic performance
THE FACTS
◊
Just three states have 20 minutes of mandatory elementary-school
recess a day
◊
Teachers have a unique opportunity to instill lifelong health and fitness
habits in students through nutritional education, gym activities, yoga,
and even purposeful play at recess
◊
Many schools, however, lack the basic equipment needed to bring these
initiatives to life
A SIMPLE WEIGHT ROOM
CREATIVE FITNESS PROGRAMS
THE RESEARCH
Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago analyzed results
of a survey sent to every state except Hawaii, Alaska and
Wyoming, in which administrators in 1,761 schools and 690
school districts were asked questions about physical education
(P.E.) policies, practices, and nutrition at their schools. Their
responses were compared with information collected about state
laws and school district policies related to P.E. and recess.
/
THE RESEARCH
 Researchers found that the 4% of schools in the six strong states or
districts were nearly three times more likely to meet the 150-minute
recommendation
 In comparison, 17 states and 29% of school districts were considered
weak
 Twenty-four states and 67% of school districts had NO P.E. policies
THE RESEARCH
 When it comes to mandatory recess, five states were ranked weak.
 39 had no recess law.
 Just 19% of school districts required daily recess.
 17% required some recess but less than 20 minutes a day.
 64% had no recess policy at all
 Researchers found a significant either-or effect : schools that met the
recess standards were less likely to meet the P.E. guidelines, and vice
versa.
THE TRUTH
•
It’s not surprising that so few schools are embracing the exercise
guidelines. There are only so many hours in the school day, and budget
cuts and increased testing pressure means most schools decide that
physical activity is not critical
•
Sandy Slater, an assistant professor of health policy and administration
at the University of Illinois at Chicago, says that’s a mistake. Other
studies have identified a link between increased physical activity and
academic achievement
•
Dr. Kristine Madsen of the University of California, San Francisco,
provocatively suggests that “lack of physical activity may be a far greater
public health problem than obesity.”
FITNESS IS FUN!
BENEFITS
■ Physical education prepares children to be physically and mentally
active, fit and healthy...for life. Here are some of the many benefits
children receive from a quality Physical Education Program:
 healthful physical activity.
 teaches self discipline
 an outlet for releasing tension and anxiety
 improve self-confidence and self-esteem
BENEFITS CONT.
•
Facilitates development of student responsibility for health and fitness
•
Influences moral development
•
Leadership
•
Increases cooperation with others
•
Reduces stress
BENEFITS CONT.
 Respect –
 PE helps you respect your body, classmates and teammates
 Experience in setting goals
 Improved academics
BENEFITS CONT.
Look at the brain functioning after just 20 minutes of walking. Getting kids to move
helps strengthen and stimulate their brains. This is why so many recent research
studies are showing increased fitness = improved academics. Note: The blue
color represents inactivity in the brain - See more at:
FITNESS UP=ACADEMICS UP
 Healthier students are better learners
 Can improve concentration levels
 Can increases attentiveness
FITNESS UP=ACADEMICS UP
CONCLUSION
•
Physical education plays an important part in helping students maintain the skills
and knowledge needed to select physical activities to use throughout their lives
•
Children engaged in daily physical education show superior motor fitness,
academic performance, and attitude towards school versus their counterparts
who did not participate in daily physical education
•
Physical education learning offers a unique opportunity for problem solving, selfexpression, socialization, and conflict resolution.
CONCLUSIONS CONT.
•
Physical competence builds self esteem and enhances feelings of well-being and
efficacy
•
Quality physical education programs enhance the development of both
competence and confidence in performing motor skills
•
Attitudes, habits, and perceptions are critical for continuous participation in
physical activity
REFERENCES
http://www.donorschoose.org/blog/2011/02/teachers-vs-childhoodobesity/?gclid=CJ2Gw8S4yMMCFUMjgQodTrYARQ#sthash.Wos1cWuq.dpuf
Benefits of P.E. in School. (n.d.). Retrieved February 16, 2015, from
http://www.phitamerica.org/Benefits_of_P_E__in_School.htm#sthash.SjMORcjX.dpuf
Physical Education is Critical to a Complete Education (continued). (n.d.). Retrieved February 16,
2015, from http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_Physical_Education/?page=2
Rochman, B., & Rochman, B. (n.d.). Childhood Obesity: Most U.S. Schools Don’t Require P.E. Class
or Recess | TIME.com. Retrieved February 16, 2015, from
http://healthland.time.com/2011/12/07/childhood-obesity-most-u-s-schools-dont-require-pe-class-or-recess
Study of High School Students (2013). (n.d.). Retrieved February 16, 2015, from
http://stateofobesity.org/high-school-obesity/
What Are the Benefits of Physical Education in School? (2015, January 28). Retrieved February
16, 2015, from http://www.livestrong.com/article/529108-what-are-the-benefits-of-physicaleducation-in-school/