Physical Education Essay Example

Physical Education Essay The Spartans and Athenians were the first to have a type of physical education. Though very different, both systems served the people and supplied their needs. The Spartan system was similar to dictatorship, a form of government. At the age of seven, boys were taken to learn basic military skills while living in barracks. When they reached the age of fourteen, they began learning group fighting tactics which would allow them to succeed while in the military from the ages of twenty to thirty. Once thirty, the men could then marry a women who had been doing some training of her own in order to make strong babies. The philosophy of the Spartans was basically to allow them to invade other countries if desired, and to prevent other countries from invading them. The philosophy of the Athenians was quite different compared to the Spartans. The Athenian culture was very democratic, and focused on training of the mind and body. Reading and writing was a large part of society as well as physical activity which took place in the center of the city where the gymnasium was located. The physical education philosophy of the Athenians was the high point of physical education for many years. Some other cycles in physical education that we have evolved from are that of the Romans, the dark ages, and the crusades. The Roman era is a bit disturbing, but is nonetheless a cycle of physical education. Physical education for the Romans was about athletics, which was primarily about entertainment. People were forced to fight to the death, and oftentimes fed to lions. During the dark ages, religion viewed physical education as a waste of time and a work of the devil. The dark ages were a very sedentary time for human civilization. We will write a custom essay sample on Physical Education specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Physical Education specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Physical Education specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Following the dark ages in approximately 1096, were the crusades. The crusades were a time of muscular Christianity, because of the Muslims conquering Jerusalem. Muscular Christianity is basically Christians believing that the more one trained to become good soldiers, the more Christian a person was. In 1270, the crusades ended and so did the thought of physical education being worthwhile until approximately 1400 when the renaissance period began. Physical education during the renaissance period is quite similar to physical education today. It is done to better oneself, not to be doing something for someone else. The development of physical education had another setback in the 1600s when it was very functional and not a priority. People believed that if it did not have a specific purpose, than it was a waste of time. During the 1700s, there was a big change in physical education that can be largely attributed to three people: Rousseau, Johan Simon, and Guts Muths. Rousseau was the first person to promote education for the masses and he also thought of play as being educational. In 1712, Rousseau invented an activity that is still used by millions of children everyday, recess. Johan Simon was the first physical education teacher and believed physical education should be taught along with reading and writing. Simon believed physical education should include a lot of physical labor. Guts Muths developed a series of gymnastic apparatuses and believed physical education developed very important social skills. These people of the 1700s and the things they did began paving the road to where we are today. During the 1800s, physical education programs were finding their way into universities which contributed to many things we have today. New sports were being invented, intramurals were being brought into schools, women began exercising, gymnasiums could be found in most colleges, and many recreational areas and parks were being built in order to decrease the crime rate. This continued on into the 1900s which brought on the creation of the National Collegiate Athletic Association to regulate college athletics, and the golden age of sports during the 20 and 30s. During this golden age of sport, the number of people in sport increased dramatically, the number of teachers increased, and physical education began moving toward the involvement of sport. In 1941, World War II began which brought a big shock along with it. Of the first 2 million males drafted, 45% failed their physical. With this, physical education began to be very strongly pushed in schools in order to improve the health of the American people. Since W. W. II, the United States has continued to press the importance of  physical education, which brings it to where it is today, a highly complex field with many different sub-disciplines. The sub-disciplines are: Exercise physiology, which is the study of bodily systems and their reactions to the stress of exercise. Kinesiology, which is the study of how the muscular system moves the bony structure of the body. Biomechanics, which is the study of the human body as a mechanical system, utilizing principles and applications from physics. Motor learning, which is the changes in motor performance related to experience and practice. Sport sociology, which is the social structure, social patterns, and social organization of groups engaged in sport. Sport Psychology, which is the stud of behavioral and psychological issues and problems in sport. Sport pedagogy, which is the study of the processes of teaching and coaching, the outcomes of such endeavors, and the content of fitness, physical-education, and sport-education programs. (Siedentop) These sub-disciplines have created many new jobs for people in the field of education, and will surely branch off to form others in the future. Physical education has definitely come a long way since the Spartans and Athenians. From an authoritarian type system to promoting lifespan physical education with many sciences studying the different intangibles of physical education in order to better the mind and body. These new sciences have obviously broadened the umbrella of physical education, but when looking to the future, there really is no end in sight. The growing umbrella will continue getting larger as new thoughts and ideas come, and with them, new sciences also. Definition of Physical Education PHYSICAL EDUCATION is an educational course taken during primary and secondary level, and even tertiary level that encourages psychomotor learning in a play or movement exploration setting to promote health. It is also defined as a process of learning through physical activities designed to improve physical fitness, develop motor skills, knowledge and behavior of healthy and active living, sportsmanship, and emotional intelligence. Thus,  Physical Education is not only aimed at physical development but also includes the development of the individual as a whole. 2. Concepts of physical education Physical Development Objective deals with the program of activities that builds physical power in an individual through the development of the various organic systems of the body. Motor Development Objective concerned with making physical movement useful and with as little expenditure of energy as possible and being proficient, graceful, and aesthetic in this movement. Mental Development Objective deals with the accumulation a body knowledge and the ability to think and to interpret this knowledge. Social Development Objective concerned with helping an individual in making personal adjustments, group adjustment, and adjustments as a member of society. 3. What are the legal basis and related activities in physical education? The legal basis of physical education is stated in the 1987 Constitution, Article XIV Section 19. (1) The State shall promote physical education and encourage sports programs, league competitions, and amateur sports, including training for international competitions, to foster self-discipline, teamwork, and excellence for the development of a healthy and alert citizenry. (2) All educational institution shall undertake regular sports activities throughout the country in cooperation with athletic clubs and other sectors. Related Activities aerobic running archery badminton bowling weight training fencing soccer golf gymnastics handball mountain biking pilates self-defense volleyball. Physical Education Essay Example Physical Education Paper 1. What is â€Å"Physical Education†? Physical education (often abbreviated Phys. Ed. , P. E. , or PE) or gymnastics (gym or gym class) is an educational course taken during primary and secondary education that encourages psychomotor learning in a play or movement exploration setting to promote health. 2. Objectives of PE. * PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT Through the carefully selected physical an individual who participates actively will develop and maintain good health and a high level of physical fitness. The acquisitron of physical skills can motivate an individual to participate, further in physical activities hence his growth and development will be enhance. * SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT Participation in the physical education activities provides opportunities for the development of desirable social traits needed for adjustment to the social life in general. Some worth while traits are friendliness, cooperation, respect for the rights of others, good sports worship, honesty in group competition * EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT The informal nature of physical education activity offers opportunities for self-expression and emotional mastery. example of traits are: self confidence, self control, self- reliance, courage, determination. * MENTAL DEVELOPMENT Through participation in physical education activities the individual develops his mental capacities as he learns the mechanical principles underlying movement, as he acquired knowledge and understanding of rules and strategies of games and sports, and as he discovers ways of improving his movements in gymnastics and dance. 3. Brief history of PE. If several hundred years from now archaeologist were investigating our Prev Page  society, they would find endless examples of sport in the United States: stadiums, swimming pools, running shoes, hockey sticks, skis, baseball gloves, posters of sports stars, etc. Even today a basic survey of our country would reveal sports and physical education everywhere: We will write a custom essay sample on Physical Education specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Physical Education specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Physical Education specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Little League baseball, Physical Education classes, Special Olympics, neighborhood basketball, jogging, and televised professional sports. Various forms of sport and physical education have been around since the late 1400s and have only gained momentum and recognition in the centuries that followed. One of the first men to recognize the importance of physical activity in school curriculum was Johann Bernard Basedow in Germany. He included gymnastics as part of the daily curriculum devoting up to three hours per day to educating through the physical. Basedow required a specific uniform for his students so they could have unrestricted movement. He also offered a camp for two months during the summer for his students. In 1810 Friedrich Jahn, the father of gymnastics, began working outdoors with his students using simple exercises and games sometimes taking long hikes. The thing that motivated Jahn to develop a system of physical training was his deep sense of patriotism. Germany had been soundly defeated in the Napoleonic wars. So, he developed his system with the hopes of creating strong, sturdy and fearless youth who would help secure Germanys freedom and could defend the Fatherland from outside forces. Charles Beck who was a student, friend and follower of Friedrich Jahn teamed up with a friend and they made their way to Switzerland, France and eventually America. George Bancroft who had opened the Round Hill School in America had been looking at and studying the German system and immediately hired Beck to teach Latin and Physical Education in the form of German gymnastics. So, Beck became the first official Physical Education teacher in America in 1825. Historical Timeline (1800s) 776 BC: First ancient Olympiad is held 1814 Denmarks Bill of 1814 establishes first ever mandatory physical education 1823 Catherine Beecher founds Hartford seminary for girls with American Style Calisthenics (early form of aerobics) 1823 Round Hill School Opens. 1825 Charles Beck becomes first Physical Education Teacher at Round Hill School. 1861 The Normal Institute of Physical Education is founded in Boston. 1866 California becomes first state to pass Physical Education legislation 1891 James Naismith invents Basketball 1896 First Modern Olympics is held in Athens, Greece 4. Values of PE. PE also helps students learn about their abilities, aptitudes, limitations, and potential. It provides opportunities for students to: develop creativity, positive attitudes toward physical activity, assume more personal and social responsibility, and meet performance obligations as individuals and in groups. 5. Legal Basis of PE. Article 14 section 19 of the Philippine Constitution 1) The State shall promote physical education and encourage sports programs, league competitions, and amateur sports, including training for international competitions, to foster self-discipline, teamwork, and excellence for the development of a healthy and alert citizenry. (2) All educational institutions shall undertake regular sports activities throughout the country in cooperation with athletic clubs and other sectors. 6. Health Benefits of PE. Physical education programs in schools directly benefit students physical health. Getting the recommended amount of exercise combats obesity, which subsequently reduces the risk for diabetes, heart disease, asthma, sleep disorders and other illnesses. Regular exercise also contributes to cardiovascular health and promotes muscle and bone development. According to the National Association for Sport and Physical Education, school PE programs should require both fitness and cognitive assessments. In addition to participating in physical activity, students in PE learn the fundamentals of a healthful lifestyle, the building blocks upon which they can develop into healthy, knowledgeable adults. 7.4 types of development. * Physical development is the obvious type of development within a PE lesson. Physical exercise is a very important part of life to keep us fit and healthy into our old age. If physical activities are incorporated into the lives of people from a young age, it is much more likely they will carry it on when they get older. People need to develop physically by developing muscles, by toning and strengthening them and also develop cardiovascular fitness for healthy heart and lungs. * Socially, physical education helps people develop bonds with others; particularly whilst participating in team sports. The act of working together as part of a team and using team mates as a support network both on and off the field helps people develop socially and form friendships with like-minded individuals. * Emotionally and mentally, physical education can be a form of therapy for individuals. Using up unused energy can help release stress and tension. The sense of achievement after completing a physical education session can also boost self esteem; particularly after performing well in competitions or simply reaching a personal goal.