"Gym teacher" redirects here. For the 2008 movie, see Gym Teacher: The Movie.
Physical education equipment in Calhan, Colorado
Children using a parachute during a P.E. lesson
Physical education, often abbreviated to Phys. Ed. or PE, and sometimes informally referred to as gym
class or simply just gym, is a subject taught in schools around the world. PE is taught during primary and
secondary education and encourages psychomotor, cognitive, and effective learning through physical
activity and movement exploration to promote health and physical fitness.[1] When taught correctly and
in a positive manner, children and teens can receive a storm of health benefits. These include reduced
metabolic disease risk, improved cardiorespiratory fitness, and better mental health.[2] In addition, PE
classes can produce positive effects on students' behavior and academic performance.[3] Research has
shown that there is a positive correlation between brain development and exercising.[4] Researchers in
2007 found a profound gain in English Arts standardized test scores among students who had 56 hours of
physical education in a year, compared to those who had 28 hours of physical education a year.[5]
Many physical education programs also include health education as part of the curriculum. Health
education is the teaching of information on the prevention, control, and treatment of diseases.[6]
Curriculum in physical education
A highly effective physical education program aims to develop physical literacy through the acquisition of
skills, knowledge, physical fitness, and confidence.[7] Physical education curricula promote healthy
development of children, encourage interest in physical activity and sport, improve learning of health
and physical education concepts, and accommodate for differences in student populations to ensure that
every child receives health benefits.[8] These core principles are implemented through sport
participation, sports skill development, knowledge of physical fitness and health, as well as mental
health and social adaptation.[8]
Physical education curriculum at the secondary level includes a variety of team and individual sports, as
well as leisure activities. Some examples of physical activities include basketball, soccer, volleyball, track
and field, badminton, tennis, walking, cycling, and swimming.[9] Chess is another activity that is included
in the PE curriculum in some parts of the world. Chess helps students to develop their cognitive thinking
skills and improves focus, while also teaching about sportsmanship and fair play.[9] Gymnastics and
wrestling activities offer additional opportunities for students to improve the different areas of physical
fitness including flexibility, strength, aerobic endurance, balance, and coordination.[9] Additional
activities in PE include football, netball, hockey, rounders, cricket, four square, racing, and numerous
other children's games. Physical education also teaches nutrition, healthy habits, and individuality of
needs.[10]
Pedagogy
Young Portuguese children participating in a school race
The main goals in teaching modern physical education are:[11]
To expose children and teens to a wide variety of exercise and healthy activities. Because P.E. can be
accessible to nearly all children, it is one of the only opportunities that can guarantee beneficial and
healthy activity in children.
To teach skills to maintain a lifetime of fitness as well as health.
To encourage self-reporting and monitoring of exercise.
To individualize duration, intensity, and type of activity.
To focus feedback on the work, rather than the result.
To provide active role models.
It is critical for physical educators to foster and strengthen developing motor skills and to provide
children and teens with a basic skill set that builds their movement repertoire, which allows students to
engage in various forms of games, sports, and other physical activities throughout their lifetime.[12]
These goals can be achieved in a variety of ways. National, state, and local guidelines often dictate which
standards must be taught in regards to physical education. These standards determine what content is
covered, the qualifications educators must meet, and the textbooks and materials which must be used.
These various standards include teaching sports education, or the use of sports as exercise; fitness
education, relating to overall health and fitness; and movement education, which deals with movement
in a non-sport context.[12]
These approaches and curricula are based on pioneers in PE, namely, Francois Delsarte, Liselott Diem,
and Rudolf von Laban, who, in the 1800s focused on using a child's ability to use their body for self-
expression. This, in combination with approaches in the 1960s, (which featured the use of the body,
spatial awareness, effort, and relationships) gave birth to the modern teaching of physical education.[13]
Recent research has also explored the role of physical education for moral development in support of
social inclusion and social justice agendas,[14] where it is under-researched, especially in the context of
disability, and the social inclusion of disabled people.[15]
Technology use in physical education
Many physical education classes utilize technology to assist their pupils in effective exercise. One of the
most affordable and popular tools is a simple video recorder. With this, students record themselves, and,
upon playback, can see mistakes they are making in activities like throwing or swinging.[16] Studies show
that students find this more effective than having someone try to explain what they are doing wrong,
and then trying to correct it.[16]
Educators may also use technology such as pedometers and heart rate monitors to make step and heart
rate goals for students.[17][18][19] Implementing pedometers in physical education can improve
physical activity participation, motivation and enjoyment.[20]
Other technologies that can be used in a physical education setting include video projectors and GPS
systems. Gaming systems and their associated games, such as the Kinect, Wii, and Wii Fit can also be
used. Projectors are used to show students proper form or how to play certain games. GPS systems can
be used to get students active in an outdoor setting, and active exergames[clarification needed] can be
used by teachers to show students a good way to stay fit in and out of a classroom setting.[21]
Exergames, or digital games that require the use of physical movement to participate, can be used as a
tool to encourage physical activity and health in young children.[22]
Technology integration can increase student motivation and engagement in the Physical Education
setting.[23] However, the ability of educators to effectively use technology in the classroom is reliant on
a teacher's perceived competence in their ability to integrate technology into the curriculum.[23]
Beyond traditional tools, recent AI advancements are introducing new methods for personalizing
physical education, especially for adolescents. AI applications like adaptive coaching are starting to show
promise in enhancing student motivation and program effectiveness in physical education settings.
