What is Physical Education? Importance and Benefits

Whether you are an educator, a coach, or someone who participates in organized sports you will agree that academic and physical achievements are equally important to the development of a well-rounded and educated individual. Physical Education is a vital part of every child’s education program, regardless of the participant’s primary sport.

Physical Education is a broad term used to cover all of the different types of physical activities. It provides students with the knowledge to use their bodies effectively and productively with others in a variety of settings and to understand the role of physical activity in healthy living.

In developed countries like America, physical education has become a compulsory governmental program; by allowing time for students to be physically active, it was believed, during its inception, that it could help prevent the emotional and behavioral issues caused during the years of the war due to confinement and exposure to violence. In India, the field of Physical Education is still not considered essential in terms of education.

Good physical education programs provide students with physical activity and positively affect their health, fitness, and social skills. Physical education programs should be based on the premise that all children can learn to enjoy, appreciate, and be proficient in physical activity. A fundamental goal of physical education is to develop physically literate individuals who become life-long learners and active participants in a variety of physical activities.

As per research done by top international schools in India, there are many more benefits to children participating in these activities. Involvement in physical education helps develop children’s gross motor skills such as sitting, standing, walking, running, and jumping. These activities also improve strength, endurance, and coordination. This subject also familiarizes an individual with the workings of a team environment by teaching them about team sports.

Muscles are strengthened, balance and coordination are improved and confidence is boosted. In a fun and social environment, pupils become physically literate, learning what fitness means. Each activity helps pupils improve their strength, coordination, and flexibility in a way that’s relevant to their age. This demonstrates that P.E. is about getting active and learning lifelong skills.

With the ever-increasing complexity of our everyday lives, it’s easy to feel stressed out and disconnected. Taking time to learn healthy physical activities is an effective way to combat weight, anxiety, depression, and other stress-related issues that a student might encounter later in life.

Physical education in the Indian education system is frowned upon and considered unnecessary. The curriculums of most schools in India, do provide special classes in the timetable for physical activities but they don’t educate children about the benefits and how physical activities can help you in improving your academic record. It’s only in the final years of school that P.E. is introduced as an optional subject.

The experience of the students who take P.E. is also not very fruitful. Students often point out that they take the subject because it’s scoring and doesn’t require much attention. The experience is also hampered by the lack of equipment, absence of proper teachers, as well as changing schedules due to prioritizing other subjects.

Physical fitness is an integral part of a child’s or an individual’s health, both in the mental and physical aspects. There is a need to have a modern education system that enhances the benefits of physical education and equips our students with abilities that not only make them happy but also more employable.