Why Is Physical Education Important For Youth?
Physical Activity Facts The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition recommend that children and adolescents ages 6 to 17 years do 60 minutes or more of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily.2 Regular physical activity can help children and adolescents improve cardiorespiratory fitness, build strong bones and muscles, control weight, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and reduce the risk of developing health conditions such as: 1
- Heart disease.
- Cancer.
- Type 2 diabetes.
- High blood pressure.
- Osteoporosis.
- Obesity.
Physical inactivity can
- Lead to energy imbalance (e.g., expend less energy through physical activity than consumed through diet) and can increase the risk of becoming overweight or obese.14
- Increase the risk of factors for cardiovascular disease, including hyperlipidemia (e.g., high cholesterol and triglyceride levels), high blood pressure, obesity, and insulin resistance and glucose intolerance.1,5,6
- Increase the risk for developing type 2 diabetes.1,7
- Increase the risk for developing breast, colon, endometrial, and lung cancers.1
- Lead to low bone density, which in turn, leads to osteoporosis.1
- Less than one-quarter (24%) of children 6 to 17 years of age participate in 60 minutes of physical activity every day.8
- In 2017, only 26.1% of high school students participate in at least 60 minutes per day of physical activity on all 7 days of the previous week.9
- In 2017, 51.1% of high school students participated in muscle strengthening exercises (e.g., push-ups, sit-ups, weight lifting) on 3 or more days during the previous week.9
- In 2017, 51.7% of high school students attended physical education classes in an average week, and only 29.9% of high school students attended physical education classes daily.9
- Aerobic: Most of the 60 minutes or more per day should be either moderate- or vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity and should include vigorous-intensity physical activity on at least 3 days a week.
- Muscle-strengthening: As part of their 60 minutes or more of daily physical activity, children and adolescents should include muscle-strengthening physical activity on at least 3 days a week.
- Bone-strengthening: As part of their 60 minutes or more of daily physical activity, children and adolescents should include bone-strengthening physical activity on at least 3 days a week.
These guidelines state that children and adolescents be provided opportunities and encouragement to participate in physical activities that are appropriate for their age, that are enjoyable, and that offer variety.3 The national recommendation for schools is to have a comprehensive approach for addressing physical education and physical activity in schools.10–12 This approach is called Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs.13
- Students who are physically active tend to have better grades, school attendance, cognitive performance (e.g., memory), and classroom behaviors (e.g., on-task behavior).14, 15
- Higher physical activity and physical fitness levels are associated with improved cognitive performance (e.g., concentration, memory) among students.14, 15
- Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee.2018 Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Scientific Report. Washington, DC: US Dept of Health and Human Services; 2018.
- US Department of Health and Human Services. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition. Washington, DC: US Department of Health and Human Services; 2018.
- National Physical Activity Plan Alliance. The 2018 United States Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth. Washington, DC: National Physical Activity Plan Alliance, 2018.
- Loprinzi PD, Lee I, Andersen RE, Crespo CJ, Smit E. Association of concurrent healthy eating and regular physical activity with cardiovascular disease risk factors in US youth. American Journal of Health Promotion.2015; 30(1):2–8.
- Cuenca-Garcia M; Ortega FB; Ruiz JR; et al. Combined influence of healthy diet and active lifestyle on cardiovascular disease risk factors in adolescents. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports.2014;24(3):553–562.
- Kriska A; Delahanty L; Edelstein S; et al. Sedentary behavior and physical activity in youth with recent onset of type 2 diabetes. Pediatrics.2013;131(3): e850–e856.
- The Child & Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative (CAHMI).2016 National Survey of Childrens Health. Data Resource Center for Child and Adolescent Health;2016.
- Merlo CL, Jones SE, Michael SL, et al. Dietary and Physical Activity Behaviors Among High School Students — Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2019. MMWR Suppl 2020;69(Suppl-1):64–76.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. School Health Guidelines to Promote Healthy Eating and Physical Activity. MMWR.2011;60(No. RR-5).
- US Department of Health and Human Services. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Midcourse Report: Strategies to Increase Physical Activity Among Youth. Washington, DC: US Department of Health and Human Services: 2012.
- Institute of Medicine. Educating the Student Body: Taking Physical Activity and Physical Education to School. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press; 2013.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A Guide for Developing Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US Department of Health and Human Services; 2013.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Association Between School-Based Physical Activity, Including Physical Education, and Academic Performance. Atlanta, GA; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US Department of Health and Human Services; 2010.
- Michael SL, Merlo C, Basch C, et al. Critical connections: health and academics. Journal of School Health.2015;85(11):740–758.
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Why is physical education important?
Physical education provides cognitive content and instruction designed to develop motor skills, knowledge, and behaviors for physical activity and physical fitness. Supporting schools to establish physical education daily can provide students with the ability and confidence to be physically active for a lifetime.
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Why is physical education class so important give 5 reasons?
Top 5 Reasons Why Physical Education is As Important As Schoolwork Many schools are now motivating students to maintain a balance between their school work and physical education. Physical education is an essential part of healthy living for people of all age groups, especially those going to school.
- This is because school life is full of stress and anxiety at every stage.
- Several Researches have proved the importance of physical activities of students in a school environment Top 5 Reasons Why Physical Education is as Important as School Work: 1.
- Enhances an individual’s ability to concentrate and maintain focus: Several studies show that performing physical activities helps in enlarging the basal ganglia of the brain.
The Basal Ganglia is a part of the brain which is responsible to maintain an individual’s capability to focus. In this current era students have several diversions in the form of technologies (Television, tablets, PCs, Mobile phones), therefore, it is difficult for them to maintain focus.
- By promoting physical education, school teachers can help them improve their concentration.
- Schools often arrange physical games and exercises which require concentration.
- Thus, students are promoted to take part in such activities along with their school work, so this will help in maintaining their healthy body and minds.2.
Important for healthy growth and development: In today’s world, many school children eat unhealthy foods. These may include the fries, soft drinks, pizzas and burgers. Consuming these on a regular basis can lead to childhood obesity. Physical education at school helps in preventing obesity and high blood pressure.
- Physical exercise and activities will help them burn off their extra calories.
- If these calories are not burned off they will be stored as fat.
- By doing physical exercises individuals use their extra calories to gain energy.
- Plus, such activities play an important role in the healthy growth and development of bones and cartilages.
Bone strengthening exercises such as jumping are particularly important for school children as such activities produce a force onto the bone that helps enhance its strength and growth. While muscle strengthening exercises make muscles larger and stronger, they also help children carry more weight and aid in protecting joints against injuries.
- Being physically active makes the students energetic and strong which motivates them to take interest in classroom activities. Exercises which help strengthen muscles include:
- *Climbing Trees.
- *Monkey bar exercises.
- *Bike Riding.
- *Push ups.
- *Hula hooping.
A physically active student will also have a healthy heart. Any exercise which provides oxygen to the muscles is called as an aerobic exercise. Such exercises are essential for a healthy heart. Research shows that kids who perform aerobic exercises, two to three times a week for at least twenty minutes, have a healthier heart as compared to those who don’t take part in physical education.
- *Playing Basketball.
- *Playing Soccer.
- *Jumping rope.
- 3. Prevents sleep deprivation:
A complete night’s sleep is an essential component of a happy and healthy life. Those students who take part in physical activities and exercise regularly have a tired and exhausted body which craves a good night’s sleep. Complete sleep makes kids more upright and attentive during lectures in classroom.
Being attentive will help prevent them from performing careless mistakes and will provide them energy to be helpful towards teachers and their fellow students.4. Helps in relieving stress and anxiety: School life is hectic for every individual. Therefore, taking part in physical activities and education allows students to relieve their academic stress and anxiety.
Stress might be due to a fight with a friend or a low grade despite of hard work. Stressed students are not able to concentrate and focus on their academic performance if they are not allowed time to de-stress. Physical activities give them an environment to breathe out their stress.
By exercising and breathing deeply, we provide extra air to our lungs which in turn provides more oxygen to the brain, this makes the brain feel relaxed and stress free. A physically active individual is more likely to be happy and healthy, which makes them a better student in the classroom. They often feel proud and happy about themselves and are good towards their fellow students.5.
Physical education makes an individual flexible and happy: Balancing exercise and stretching, helps improve physical balance which decreases the chances of injuries. Those students who make physical education as important as their school work become more flexible in their routine life.
- Such activities make the body elastic and flexible.
- It allows an individual to manage both a physical and mental workload.
- Scientific research reveals the fact that physical education in school helps in improving the connections between neurons of the brain.
- Healthy and well-connected neurons help improve the over-all thinking ability of students.
Thus, making them better students in classroom. (Source: educationandbehavior.com ) : Top 5 Reasons Why Physical Education is As Important As Schoolwork
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How can you benefit physical education to your life?
Why Is Physical Education So Important? – OWIS Singapore It is no secret that appropriate physical activity is necessary to a student’s overall well-being. The benefits of physical education in schools are far-reaching, including both increased student physical health and better academic performance. OWIS students practising football drills In recent years, many schools have cut back on their physical education programmes, placing greater emphasis on academics as they strive to prepare students for college and the workforce. Yet research shows that adults who had regular PE classes in school are more than twice as likely to be physically active as their non-PE counterparts.
In fact, children who have regular Physical Education lessons at school will be likely to experience the following benefits: Physical and Mental Health Well-versed in child development, PE teachers ensure that the curriculum consists of age-appropriate activities that support growing minds and bodies.
They will adapt lessons to make them appropriate for their groups and ensure that they do not overwhelm children with skills or requirements that may be too advanced. At the same time, they know when students are ready to be pushed. PE improves motor skills and increases muscle strength and bone density, which in turn makes students more likely to engage in healthy activity outside of school.
Furthermore it educates children on the positive benefits of exercise and allows them to understand how good it can make them feel. Participating in PE puts children on track to make regular exercise a habit- one that can combat obesity and reduce the likelihood of developing chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.
It also helps to maintain their brain and mental health. By making exercise ‘normal’ from an early age this becomes ingrained in them throughout their lives. Physical education motivates children to expand their skills, as grasping the fundamentals of one sport makes it easier to master the rules of another.
- Since students spend a considerable amount of time in school, it is an ideal setting to empower them to take responsibility for their health.
- Often a secondary benefit of physical education is that children become more aware of what they are putting in their bodies.
- They realise the importance of a healthy, balanced diet and that sugary snacks are not the best way to gain energy for their sport.
They will often want to find out more about their bodies and this again teaches them to care for themselves and others. Studies also suggest that students who are less active are more likely to experience sleep disorders. Regular exercise reduces stress and anxiety, contributing to healthy sleep patterns, which in turn lead to better mental health, immune system functioning, and overall well-being.
Social Skills Physical education that begins in demonstrates the value of cooperation, while being part of a team gives them a sense of identity. When PE teachers model prosocial behaviours, children gain skills that pave the way for healthy interactions and relationships throughout life. This teaches them essential communication skills and social skills.
It helps them become team players, work alongside a diverse range of team mates and be able to support others. Learning the fundamentals of popular sports also provides a constructive way for students to fit in with their peers, especially as they approach adolescence.
Being able to understand a range of sports or hobbies allows them to be part of something bigger than their classroom. They may find a real passion for a particular sport, start attending sporting fixtures and they may even go on to have a career within the sporting industry. Having the opportunities to ignite this type of passion whilst developing a range of skills is hugely important.
Self-Esteem and Character Development Playing team sports in a structured setting reinforces leadership and good sportsmanship. Playing various roles on a team and gaining new skills encourage students to respect themselves and their peers. It also teaches them to be understanding to others and support them through their difficulties.
- Gestures such as a hand shake, a pat on the back or a high-five from a team-mate helps to build confidence and camaraderie, and earning praise from coaches or other players also helps to improve self-esteem.
- This then leads to increasing children’s confidence to trust their abilities and to progress their skills within their sport.
It is important for children to understand that self-esteem should not rely on winning or losing, but in the taking part and learning from every opportunity. Children who receive constructive criticism well are shown to be better at making changes to improve themselves, whether it be at school, in work or in sport. OWIS Sports Day 2019 As they hone their abilities through individual and team sports, children learn self-discipline and goal-setting. They learn that there will always be winners and losers but that it is important to accept this and to get back up when needed, or in turn to encourage those around us to carry on.
Discipline is essential for sport and this can be both mental and physical. In sport, children need to follow rules and take orders from their coaches. Sometimes they must accept decisions that they may not agree with. This teaches them an important life skill that will help them throughout their life and careers.
According to the International Platform on Sport and Development, “Sport has been used as a practical tool to engage young people in their communities through volunteering, resulting in higher levels of leadership, community engagement and altruism among young people.” Better Academic Performance The many benefits of PE carry over from the playing field or gymnasium into the classroom, leading to better academic performance.
Research reveals that children who take part in physical education are better able to regulate their behaviour and stay focused in class. Often sport gives children the opportunity to take their minds off their academic studies. It offers the chance for them to relax, release pent up emotions and to spend time having fun with their friends.
At OWIS, PE is a critical component of a well-rounded curriculum. To learn more, visit our page. : Why Is Physical Education So Important? – OWIS Singapore
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Why are physical benefits important?
Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Being physically active can improve your brain health, help manage weight, reduce the risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve your ability to do everyday activities.
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