Chapter 1

Introduction of Physical Education

Introduction

Physical Education as a subject in the curriculum has previously been neglected and has suffered several
defeats owing to misunderstandings among instructors and administrators who, maybe, have never had
the opportunity to learn more about the discipline. As a result, it is critical that this subject area be
correctly defined and interpreted in order for it to receive the attention it deserves in the educational
program.

Students pursuing PATH-FIT 1- (Physical Activity Towards Health and Fitness) as a mandatory topic
will have a better understanding of what Physical Education is and what the course covers in this unit.
There is almost undisputed agreement that optimum health is one's most esteemed possession.
Schopenhauer, the German philosopher expressed this thought when he wisely remarked, “the greatest of
follies is to neglect one's health for any advantage of life."

A look at the history of nations indicates that progress is linked to people's physical, mental, and
emotional well-being. Physical exercise is vital for all persons of all ages in the process of developing
and maintaining optimum health; there is a wide range of methods of exercise that are advised for
different age groups.

Specific Objectives
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

- Define Physical Education.

- Identify the objectives and Phases of Physical Education.
- Appreciate the importance of Physical Education.

Duration

Chapter 1: Introduction of Physical Education = 2 hours (1 hour and 30

minutes discussion; 30
 minutes assessment)

Lesson Proper

Definition of Physical Education

Physical Education has undergone many vicissitudes and numerous changes of path in
the Philippine schools. There was a time when Physical Education was considered as
education of the physical, hence, a muscular physique was considered as a physical
educated body. The activities then were termed as "drill", "physical training" and"
calisthenics". This old concept of physical education would, in all respect, mean today
as strengthening the muscles.

The newer and modern perception of physical education is that it is education through
physical activities. In modern physical education idiom, it is education through
"movement." Wunderlich (1967) describes of movement as follows:
1. It provides sensory data.
2. It broadens the perspective horizon.
3. It stimulates function and structure of all bodily organs.
4. It is the means by which an individual learns about himself in relation to his
ambient environment.
What" education through movement" more particularly entails are the taking of that
culture-based family of activities and processes games, dance, gymnastics, athletic
sports, and outdoor pursuits as a means "through" which the teacher can help effect
enviable outcomes, despite the consequences of whether or not those activities have
essential worth of their own. Moreover, Physical Education focuses on the concept of
"learn to move, move to learn". An individual must know how to move in order to learn on
how to move in order to acquire and learn the needed knowledge in a certain activity.

Physical Education

Physical Education is an integral part of the education program purposely to promote the
optimum development of the individual physically, socially, emotionally, and mentally through
total movement in the performance of properly selected physical activities (Andin, 2002).
Phase of education concerned with the teaching and learning of skills and attitudes in play
activities.
It is an aspect of education that may be appropriately described as education through physical
exertion.

Legal Bases of Teaching Physical Education in the Philippines Setting

1901 Physical exercise was one of the subjects introduced in the public schools and regular
program of athletics was developed.
1920 Physical Education was made a required subject in the curriculum of all public schools.
1937 Physical Education was made curricular subject in the secondary school curriculum.
1969 The School of Physical Education and Sports Development Act of 1969. A program of
activities included among others:
1. A program of health education and nutrition,
2. A program of physical fitness for all pupils,
3. A program of competitive athletics,
4. A program of intramurals and inter-unit athletic competition within schools,
districts, and provinces; and
5. An annual athletic competition within and among regions.
1982 MAPE was introduced and the learning area involves music, arts, and physical education.
(Foundation of Physical Education by Carmen Andin)

Article 1 of the International Charter of Physical Education and Sports, UNESCO, Paris
(1975) and Recommendation I, Interdisciplinary Regional Meeting of Experts in Physical
Education and Sports, UNESCO, Brisbane (1982). The practice of Physical Education and
Sports is a fundamental right of All ... and the right should not be treated as different in
principle from the right of adequate food, shelter and medicines.
Article XIV Section 19 (1) & (2) of the 1987 Philippine Constitution mandates that:
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.
All educational institutions shall undertake regular sports activities throughout the country
in cooperation with athletic clubs and other sectors.
Functions of Physical Education

Physical Education performs three functions which are:

1. Biologic Function - refers to the enhancement of the individuals' growth and
development through body movement.

2. Integrative Function - refers to the personality integration achieved through

participation in properly selected physical activities.

3. Social Function - refers to the transmitting values and standards that are consistent with
the needs and ideals of the society.

All in all, Physical Education as education "through" movement is best conceived of as

being that component of the educational process which aims to improve and complement the
individual chiefly through professionally selected and directed physical activities.

Phases of Physical Education

1. Sports – activities we engage for pleasure, enjoyment, recreation, even as form of

competition usually requiring vigorous bodily exercises.

Classifications:
1. Individual/dual sports
2. Team Sports
3. Track and Fields
4. Aquatic Sports
2. Recreational Activities – activities done during free time and one’s work free will such
as cooking, weaving, mountaineering, gardening, mountain climbing, etc.
3. Dances – These are movements set to music where organization and structure emerge.
4. Gymnastics – systematic bodily exercises based on scientific principles.
5. Group Games - These are led up activities with simple rules designed primarily for fun
and enjoyment.
6. Health Safety and First Aid - This is the temporary care given to a victim of an accident
or those who become suddenly ill until the services of the physician can be obtained.

A Major Goal of Physical Education

Different people differ in their notion of fitness. In the field of Physical Education, the concept of
fitness has implications for physical, social, emotional, and mental wellbeing. In view of these
four aspects, it can be said that FITNESS is the ability to live a healthy, satisfying, and useful
life. This type of life is what the educational philosophers and thinkers’ term as the "good life".
This is the ultimate goal of education.
To live the "good life" means that an individual satisfies the basic needs as physical wellbeing,
love, affection, security and self-respect. He lives blissfully with other people and is interested in
them. He has an interest and yearning to serve humanity and believes in and exemplifies high
ethical standards. Because of ills secure relationship with people and future events, he lives a
remarkable and stimulating life.
Physical education as a component of the educational system strives to aid or facilitate the
development of an individual so that he can achieve total fitness to allow him to envoy's the
"good life." Therefore, a major goal of physical education is FITNESS.

Objectives of Physical Education

The following objectives of Physical Education are viewed and stated in terms of their
contributions to the outcomes of education and in the curriculum.

Physical Development
Through cautiously selected physical education activities, an individual who participates
energetically will develop and maintain good health and a high level of physical fitness. The
attainment of Physical skills can motivate an individual who participates further in physical
activities; hence, his growth and development will be improved.

Social Development
Involvement in Physical Education activities provides opportunities for the development of
enviable social traits needed for adjustment to the social life in general.

Some worthwhile traits are:

1. friendliness
2. cooperation
3. respect for the rights of others
4. good sportsmanship
5. good leadership and followership
6. honesty in group competition

Emotional Development

The informal nature of physical education activities offers opportunities for self-expression
and emotional mastery. Examples of worthwhile emotional traits are:
1. self-confidence
2. self-control
 3. self-reliance
4. courage
5. determination
Mental Development

Through participation in physical education activities, the individual develops his mental
capacities as he learns the mechanical principles of underlying movements, as he obtains
knowledge and understanding of the rules and strategies of the games and sports, and as he
discovers ways of improving his movement in gymnastics and dance. Likewise, it enhances
critical thinking how activities are done according to rules, regulations and strategies.

Spiritual and Moral Development

Physical Education activities provide the development of inner self and soul. Experiencing
these activities help students discover a personal meaning and purpose in life. These also
lead to the appreciation of what is good and beautiful.

New Directions for Physical Education

"All our educational efforts must be directed towards the development of our national goals as a
developing country." This focus, contained in the Presidential Decree No.6A, is entitled
educational Development Decree of 1972," the goals of which are:
1. To achieve and maintain an accelerating rate of economic development and social
progress;
2. To assure the maximum participation of all the people in the attainment and
enjoyment of the benefits of such growth; and
3. To strengthen national consciousness and promote desirable cultural values in the
changing world.
The foregoing development goals must itself offer direction to the teaching of physical
education. How will Physical Education lend significant to these goals? What can the Physical
Education teacher do to contribute to the attainment of the goals? The answers to these questions
will come to the fore when the purposes of physical education have been well understood.

Purposes of Physical Education

The Physical Education specialists in our country have identified the following purposes of
Physical Education:
1. To develop optimum physical fitness and health of the individual so that he is capable
of living the "good life" and contributing his maximum capacity to the attainment of
the goals of the "New Society";
2. To produce individuals who can contribute to the economic well-being through:
a. the improvement of proper work habits and work attitudes such as punctuality,
cooperation, reliability, precision and accuracy, and openmindedness: and
b. proper emphasis on problem-solving skills such that an individual can identify a
problem correctly and master the skills necessary or useful in the business world;
3. To train good leaders with moral integrity of the highest order, and develop other
desirable traits necessary for effective group participation or group living essential to
the New Society through;
a. an adequate system of values by equipping the individual to be able to make
moral choices or decisions needed in daily living; and
b. offering group participation in such experiences as intramural, extramural, play
days or sports fests;
4. To develop creativity and innovativeness inspired by an abiding faith in God and love
of country and fellowmen; and
5. To install a love and pride for their preservation, and develop an understanding of the
culture of other for a feeling of international brotherhood and unity.
References/Additional Resources/Readings