P.E. or no P.E?

Dr. Wendy Ghiora – Posting #66 – September 18, 2010

Some of us may have enjoyed Physical Education Class during our school years, others maybe not so much. One thing I think we can all agree on is, P.E. can be fun (if you have a well-trained teacher) and as a bonus, it is good for our physical health and mental alertness.

Due to ongoing school budget cuts, many schools are forced to prioritize. When this happens, physical education, music, art and other “extracurricular” courses are the first ones on the chopping block. Despite Michelle Obama's gung-ho "Let's Move" campaign, which encourages schools and communities to combat childhood obesity, the results of the American Heart Association and the National Association for Sport and Physical Education's Shape of the Nation 2010 report does not bear good news.

According to the report, 32 states make it easy for students to swap P.E. for other extracurricular classes. Even though there has been a 17 percent increase in the number of states that require P.E. over the past few years, only five require P.E. from kindergarten through twelfth grade, and just one (Alabama) requires the American Heart Association's recommended time allotment: 150 minutes per week for elementary school students and 225 for middle and high school.

So, when School Boards make these decisions, do they actually think it’s good for the kids to keep them in their seats all day long at school? A creatively designed P.E. program would not only include running around the track or playing baseball, P.E. could (and does, in some cases) include instruction on nutrition and healthy lifestyle habits, as well as other forms of movement, like dance, improvisation games, or academically-integrated activities. The rise in childhood obesity should act as a red flag. In contrast to the negative side of inactivity, research shows kids are more apt to be mentally alert for other subjects if they get a chance to move around. Any kindergarten teacher can tell you this.

Data indicates nearly 10 million children and adolescents in the United States ages 6–19 are considered overweight. The prevalence of being overweight in adolescents has quadrupled from 4 percent in 1971-74 to 17 percent in 2003-06. Increasing physical activity can prevent obesity. Schools can help in the effort by offering quality, daily physical education and other opportunities to recreate. Physical education not only gives children an opportunity to be active but it teaches them the skills they need to be active throughout their lifetime.

Unfortunately, very few states require daily physical education in grades K-12. In an era when increasing obesity and rising healthcare costs are threatening our competitive advantage and national security, we are cutting the very programs that could help reverse this trend. Schools should develop standards for student learning in physical education that reflect national and state standards and should require that physical education be taught by certified/licensed physical education teachers.

At the end of the day no healthy diet exists for a sedentary lifestyle. Encourage your children, friends and family to schedule physical activity into their daily lives. Be proactive by letting your local educators and school board members know that physical education is a priority. You can also contact your local congressman. Yes, it’s that important!

“Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it.” ~Plato