Physical Education

Physical education is an integral part of young people's education in senior cycle. As a result of their
learning in physical education, young people can increase their enjoyment, confidence and competence
in a range of physical activities. They can learn about health-related fitness and to take responsibility for
being physically active now and in the future. Overall, they can develop positive attitudes to physical
activity and its importance in a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle.
As part of senior cycle education, it is envisaged that physical education will be available in two forms.
Leaving Certificate Physical Education as a subject which will be assessed as part of the Leaving
Certificate examinations is under development. The senior cycle physical education (SCPE) framework
has a different purpose and focus. It provides a flexible planning tool for physical education for all
students in senior cycle and will not be assessed as part of the Leaving Certificate examination.
Young people in this group bring a wide variety of skills, talents and levels of motivation to their learning
in physical education. They are represented at all points of the physical activity continuum. Some young
people are regularly active and/or participate at a very high level of performance. However, there are
others who are not meeting the physical activity recommendations for young people (Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention [CDC], 2015).

Physical Education Objectives

1. Improvement in the Fields of Education:

Today, physical education is required part of most school curricula, and a number of colleges and
universities offer degrees in the field. Physical education classes generally include formal exercises,
sports, and contests; although an increasing emphasis has been given to such Asian techniques as yoga,
karate, and judo. The American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (founded
1885) is concerned with improving its fields of education and with increasing the public's knowledge and
appreciation of physical education.
2. Improvement in Life-Style and Social Relationship:
Studies in the Health and Physical Education learning area provide the potential for a better quality of life
for all students, now and in the future.
Effective interpersonal skills are essential for participation in meaningful and fulfilling relationships in
family, school, recreation, work and community contexts. Interpersonal skills such as assertive
communication, negotiation, conflict resolution, cooperation and leadership enable students to act
responsibly and contribute effectively to groups and teams
3. Individualistic Improvements:
(a) Organic Development:
The development of young people in an increasingly complex and diverse society can be characterized
by rapid change, sedentary work and leisure practices, changing family structures and roles, and the
promotion of unhealthy behaviors by various sources. The Health and Physical Education learning area
empowers students to critically evaluate the opportunities and challenges associated with living in modern
society and teaches them how to take action to avoid injury or reduce threats to their health and well-
being. Without the benefits provided by this learning area, individuals face a reduced quality of life and
society increasing health care and social costs.
(b) Neuro-Muscular Development:
Students require movement, skills in order to perform competently in physical activities. Experience in
fundamental movement skills in the early years of schooling supports the development of more specific
skills in later childhood and participation in sport and recreation as lifelong pursuits.
Students who enjoy, participate in, appreciate and are skillful in play, games, sports, dance and outdoor
recreation develop confidence and self-esteem.
(c) Personality Development:
Sports and physical education have great role in an individual's personal development. Through
participation in sport, recreation and other physical activities, students improve their physical skills and
fitness, and become aware of the important role that motivation, enthusiasm, initiative, self-discipline, self-
respect, cooperation and the assumption of responsibility play in the maintenance of healthy society.
All students develop proficient self-management skills for their own benefit, and for the benefit of the
communities in which they live and work. Being able to set and achieve personal goals; plan, implement
and evaluate decisions; develop self-esteem, and manage stress and cope with change and conflict are
essential self-management skills that underpin a healthy and active lifestyle.
Through participation in classroom interactions, work placements, sporting, recreational and other
physical activities, students develop and practice these skills. Students who possess sound self-
management skills are better able to identify and avoid potential health risk, enhance their mental health
and well-being, as well as planning for their future.
4. Improvement in the Sense of Responsibility:
Improving students' knowledge about health issues and practices does not guarantee they will lead
healthy lifestyles. However, students who are able to identify and develop their own attitudes and values
associated with leading a healthy lifestyle are better equipped to make personally and socially
responsible decisions.
This has the potential to enhance the quality of their own and other people's lives. Students who are able
to respect the attitudes and values of others are well placed to contribute effectively to home, school,
work and community life. Study in this learning area encourages them to exhibit attitudes and values that
are consistent with lifelong participation in sport and physical activity, the prevention of ill-health and the
acceptance of personal responsibility for their actions.

Definition of a Physically Educated Person:

A physically educated Person: HAS learned skills necessary to perform a variety of physical activities.
1. Moves using concepts of body awareness, space awareness, effort, and relationships.
2. Demonstrates competence in a variety of manipulative, locomotors, and non-locomotors skills.
3. Demonstrates competence in combinations of manipulative, locomotors, and non-locomotors skills
performed individually and with others.
4. Demonstrates competence in many different forms of physical activity.
5. Demonstrates proficiency in a few forms of physical activity.
6. Has learned how to learn a new skill.

IS physically fit.
1. Assesses, achieves, and maintains physical fitness
2. Designs safe personal fitness programs in accordance with principles of training and conditioning.
DOES participate regularly in physical activity.
1. Participates in health-enhancing physical activity at least three times a week
. 2. Selects and regularly participates in lifetime physical activities .

KNOWS the implications of and the benefits from involvement in physical activities.
1. Identifies the benefits, costs, and obligations associated with regular participation in physical activity.
2. Recognizes the risk and safety factors associated with regular participation in physical activity.
3. Applies concepts and principles to the development of motor skills.
4. Understands that wellness involves more than being physically fit.
5. Knows the rules, strategies, and appropriate behaviors for selected physical activities.
6. Recognizes that participation in physical activity can lead to multicultural and international
understanding.
7. Understands that physical activity provides the opportunity for enjoyment, self-expression, and
communication.

VALUES physical activity and its contributions to a healthful lifestyle.

1. Appreciates the relationship with others that result from participation in physical activity.
2. Respects the role that regular physical activity plays in the pursuit of lifelong health and well-being.
3. Cherishes the feelings that result from regular participation in physical activity.

Psychomotor Theme:
1. Place a variety of body parts into low, medium, and high levels.
2. Jump and land using a combination of one and two foot takeoffs and landings.
3. Roll smoothly in forward and backwards directions without stopping or hesitating.
4. Transfer weight from feet to hands, at various speeds using large extensions.
5. Correctly demonstrate activities designed to improve and maintain muscular strength and endurance,
flexibility, and cardio respiratory functions.

Cognitive Theme:
1. State guidelines and behaviors for the safe use of equipment.
2. Identify ways movement concepts can be used to refine motor skills.
3. Analyze potential risks associated with physical activities.
4. Detect, analyze, and correct errors in personal movement patterns.

Affective/Social Theme:
1. Accept the feeling that results from challenges, successes, and failures in physical activity.
2. Participates with and shows respect for persons of similar and different skill levels.
Benefits of Physical fitness
1- Improving Mood
Spending about 30 minutes running on a treadmill can help reduce tension in your mind as the brain
releases certain chemicals including serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine during physical activities.
All of those chemicals give soothing effects on the cellular level to reverse stress and improve mood.

2- Improve Concentration
Another useful brain chemical released during exercise is the growth factor. The main function of this
chemical is to help the brain make new cells and establish new connections between them. As the
exercise becomes more complicated, such as in sport or dancing class, our brain learns to work faster
and concentrate better.

3- Reduce Stress and depressed mood

Regular sweat-inducing activities for 30 minutes help burn about 350 calories every day. As a matter of
fact, such activity can be as effective as an antidepressant drug in reducing stress and depression. It is
probable that physical exercise stimulates the growth of neurons in brain regions damaged by
depressions. You may think of taking antidepressant instead, but you will not get the calorie burning
benefit.

4- Improve Sleep Habits

For some people, a moderate or vigorous workout is better as sleep-inducing agents compared to
sleeping pills. More interestingly, people with sleeping disorders such as insomnia also feel the same
effects from exercise. Physical activities about 5 or 6 hours before bedtime will increase the body’s core
temperature. When the temperature cools down in the following hours, the body receives it as a signal to
sleep.

5- Help You Maintain Healthy Weight

Decreased calorie intake is the most important factor in weight loss program. However, the only way to
maintain healthy body weight is by having regular exercise. Also, you burn a considerable amount of
calories with every moderate workout.

6- Boost Your Self-Confidence

You don’t actually need a drastic change in body shape to gain more confidence. The human brain is
hardwired to take even the simplest improvement in our efforts to boost confidence. Fitness improvement
such as running faster or longer than yesterday’s achievement is enough to improve self-esteem.

7- Reduce High Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is strongly associated with blood pressure. An increase in body weight often triggers
higher blood pressure. Being overweight can cause sleep apnea which eventually affects blood pressure
as well. Carrying weight in your waist also increases the risk of high blood pressure. Physical exercise
burns calories, reduces weight, and therefore minimizes the risk.
If you are a beginner or haven’t exercised for a while, go at your own pace. Do not force and make sure
you listen to your body. Remember that pre-exercise warm up and post exercise stretch is important and
hydrate a lot, especially in this hot tropical weather.
Stamina and strength build up as you go and regular practice will help you with that. Stick with your pace,
do your best, and don’t let others distract you. Comparing your progress to others may throw you off
balance and discourage you. The most important is that you are doing something for yourself and a little
is better than nothing. It is all about balance, a very personal and individual journey.
Physical fitness
Physical fitness is used in the context of two meanings: General fitness (a state of health and well-
being) and specific fitness (the ability to perform specific sports or occupational skills). Fitness can be
further subdivided into five categories: Cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, muscular
endurance, flexibility, and body composition. The criteria for physical fitness has also expanded to include
the capacity to meet physical demands in an emergency situation.
Physical fitness is the capacity of the heart, blood vessels, lungs, and muscles to function at optimum
efficiency. In previous years, fitness was defined as the capacity to carry out the day’s activities without
undue fatigue. However, with increased leisure time, and changes in lifestyles wrought by the industrial
revolution, which took a large proportion of the population away from farm life and into more urban areas,
this definition is no longer considered comprehensive enough.
The definition for physical fitness is now defined as the body’s ability to function efficiently and effectively
in work and leisure activities, not only at a set point in time, but at various ages and stages within a
person's life cycle. The key is in finding optimum health within the limits of one's lifestyle in order to be
able to resist hypokinetic diseases. (Those conditions that occur as a result of a sedentary lifestyle.
Examples would include obesity and complications arising from obesity, such as diabetes.)