Term Paper on "Importance of Physical Education in Schools and Colleges"

Term Paper 3 pages (1075 words) Sources: 3 Style: MLA

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Physical Education in schools and colleges

The importance of Physical Education at schools and colleges

Physical education has become an important issue that is seen by many educators as an essential aspect of the overall educational program at schools and colleges in the country. This concern is based on a number of contemporary issues. The first is that there has been a decline in the perceived importance of physical education at schools and colleges. (Drane et al. 2004) This decline has raised concern in the light of the recent reports of an increase in obesity among the youth in the United States. While physical exercise and physical exercise programs are seen as important in terms of general health and well-being, the evidence of the relationship between obesity and the lack of physical exercise has raised this concern to another level and increased the importance of physical education at our schools and colleges.

The importance of physical education in schools and colleges in the United States was first realized in the 1950s'. Studies at that time indicated that students in American colleges were less physically fit compared to their counterparts in Europe. (Pivarnik and Pfeiffer) These studies resulted in the establishment of President's Council on Youth Fitness, which was established in 1956. There were subsequent studies and efforts to improve the state of physical fitness and education in our schools and colleges.

However, the decline of physical fitness among children in the country has been a continual topic of debate in recent years. The strong evidence of obesity among the youth has served to exacerbate this concern and highlight the need for a greater emphasis on physical education. Many experts claim that improvements to physical education program at schools in particular are essential to combat these growing rates of obesity as well as improve general student health. There is therefore a consensus that children should be more involved in physical exercise in a formal sense and on a regular basis. Secondly, there is increasing agreement among educationists and healthcare experts that there is a close and important link between a lack of physical exercise and obesity among children.

These views are borne out by numerous studies. For example, in 1989 the Michigan Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (MAHPERD) issued a statement which, "...emphasized the importance of quality physical education programs in Michigan schools

" (Pivarnik and Pfeiffer) There have also been various national initiatives aimed at improving the state of student fitness by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other organizations and bodies. These programs and studies also emphasize the importance of social environment and its relationship to physical fitness programs.

Despite these initiatives and programs over the years, the present situation indicates that there has been an increase rather than a decline in the rate of obesity among America's youth. This situation has been positively linked to present situation regarding the relatively poor implementation of physical exercise programs in schools. In this sense, the importance of the link between physical fitness and the reduction of obesity has been emphasized by a number of experts in the field. "Physical inactivity has been shown to be a significant predictor and cause… READ MORE

How to Reference "Importance of Physical Education in Schools and Colleges" Term Paper in a Bibliography

Related Term Papers:

Physical Education Fourth Grade the School's Emphasis Term Paper

Physical Education

Fourth Grade

The school's emphasis for the fourth grade physical education was to acquire, improve and demonstrate fundamental motor skills and continue the building up of manipulative skills… read more

Term Paper 3 pages (908 words) Sources: 0 Topic: Education / Teaching / Learning

---

Physical Education the Corporal Gesture Term Paper

Physical Education

The corporal gesture as a result of muscles of the body amounting to utilization of energy is referred to as the physical activity. The physical idleness in U.S.… read more

Term Paper 8 pages (3325 words) Sources: 1+ Topic: Nutrition / Diet / Eating

---

Dodgeball in Physical Education Term Paper

Dodgeball in Physical Education

It would seem strange to some that a children's schoolyard game has garnered such a huge national debate about the efficacy of its use in school… read more

Term Paper 3 pages (1116 words) Sources: 4 Style: MLA Topic: Education / Teaching / Learning

---

Resources for Health PE and Fitness Activities Task and Rubric Term Paper

Physical Education

Fitness

Using the Internet, a physical education teacher can work to promote a healthy, fitness-focused lifestyle with his or her school class by having the kids create blogs… read more

Term Paper 3 pages (761 words) Sources: 0 Topic: Sports / Exercise / Fitness

---

Female Participation in Secondary Physical Education Research Paper

Girls' Perceptions of Physical Education

Bruce Yockey

Credibility and Trustworthiness

Ethics

When properly balanced with other educational and life objectives, physical education can play an important role in prompting lifelong… read more

Research Paper 20 pages (6258 words) Sources: 20 Style: APA Topic: Nutrition / Diet / Eating

---

View 100+ more related papers  >>