UNIT 1

a) Physical Education
Meaning
Definitions of Physical Education
History of Physical Education
Aim and Objectives of Physical Education
Need and importance of Physical Education
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 Meaning of Physical Education
Physical education is a purposeful activity and through such activities the
development of total personality of the child takes place.

Today’s education not merely deals with mental enhancement of an individual,

but also a source of physical activities that leads to all-round development of an
individual. The best individual is one who is physically fit, mentally sound and
sharp, emotionally balanced and socially well adjusted. It is therefore, ‘physical
Education’ said to be an integral part of Total Education.
The term physical education consists of two separate words, ‘Physical and Education’. The first
word ‘Physical’ is said to be related with bodily functions. Physical is relating to body or all the
bodily characteristics. The term Physical may include the body functions like digestive functions,
circulatory function or muscular function of the body, and it may be physical strength, physical
endurance of any human being. In other words this word deals with fitness components and bodily
effectiveness of any individual that can also be said as physical appearance.

The term ‘Education’ is described as a process in which and by which knowledge,

character and behavior of the individuals are understood and shaped. It is a systematic

instruction for any particular task. Education is basically a preparation for life. Education is

training to learn and to apply that learning in real life. A combined meaning of these two

words would be that systematic instructions and training which relate to physical activities

or programme of activities, necessary for development of physical powers or cultivation of

physical skill.
 Definitions of Physical Education

According to Jesse Feiring Williams,

“Physical education is the sum of man’s physical activities selected as to
kind, and conducted as to outcomes”

According to Harald M. Barrow

“Physical Education may be defined as education through big-muscle play
activity such as sports, exercise, and dance, where education’s objectives
may be achieved in part. This product is a physically educated person.”.
 History of Physical Education
• In primitive society physical activity was mainly required for search of food and
living, hunting, fishing, wood cutting and the like strenuous activities and hence
the need of physical activity was felt by the people.
• Later human beings developed speech and started to live in larger groups
• learned to plant and harvest crops, and thus led a more settled life than the
migratory prehistoric people who constantly searched for food.
• As farming developed, people were able to live one area for many years,
villages grew, society became more constant and stable. Then the process of
civilization started and concept of education started among the people.
• The aim of education within early society was survival – both individual and
group survival. Hunting and fighting skills were necessary if early man was to
feed himself and his family and provided protection from other forces.
• Dance activities and other ceremonial forms of celebrations were added to
the life of the early societies
• People developed religious beliefs and customs.
• The parents are first teachers or physical instructors to the child. It is they,
who instruct it how to work, run, jump, and leap. In older times, it was they
who first taught it how to climb a tree, use bow and arrow, a spear or swim
or catch a fish.
• As societies grew more and more life became easier, recreational activities also
developed.
• From time immemorial, physical education has been used by human communities all over
the world to develop fitness for survival in their struggle for existence.

• .As civilizations grew, the world moved closer to the state concept, and large groups of
people sharing many similar characteristics- such as racial group, language, customs, and
mode of living- developed loose governmental forms and leaders. Rather than aiming
education, which had been primarily physical education in primitive cultures, toward the
survival of the individual and small groups, the new states oriented the educational
process toward their own strength and survival, and often toward their expansion.

• In olden days, body was considered a distinct entity separate from mind, intellect and
spirit. So physical education was only concerned with physical strength, strengthening of
muscles and bones and various parts of the body.

• Now it is realized that man is to be taken as a whole and physical education is not merely
concerned with his physical strength. It should be clearly understood that physical
education is not only physical activity but a process of development of man as a whole.
 History of Physical Education in India

• It is historical fact that India became cultured and civilized when most of the
countries were leading uncivilized life. Here the knowledge of wisdom was
well versed throughout the country

• India was very much interested in spiritualism and mixed physical, mental
and spiritual activities

• Patanjali gave Raj Yoga to the world.

• First books in the world, the Vedas were written here,

• Mathematics spread from this land,

• Astronomy emerged from here

• New class of Rishis, spiritual leaders well-versed in their search for truth and
masters of great learning and great writers emerged
 In ancient India the primary religion was Hinduism.

The people were divided in to four castes: –

• Brahmins:- The Brahmins were men of wisdom and knowledge

and were well-versed in the scripture.
• Kshatriya:- The Kshatriyas were the warriors fought and who
ruled.
• Vaishya:- The Vaishya were men of business
• Shudras:- The Shudras performed manual work such as cleaning

Totally, in India education was based upon a person’s caste

 Historical development of Physical Education in India can be
classified as follows and studied:-

1. Indus Valley Civilization Period (2350 BC – 2500 BC)

2. Vedic Period (2500 – 600 B.C)

3. Early Hindu Period (Epic Period) - (600 B.C. – 320 A.D.) and

Later Hindu Period (320 A.D. – 1000 A.D.)

4. Medieval Period (Mughal - Muslim Period) (1000 A.D. - 1757 A.D)

5. Chivalry Period (Rajput Period) - (300 – 1200 A.D.)

6. British Period (Before 1947)

7. Physical Education in India (after 1947)

 1. Indus Valley Civilization Period (2350 BC – 2500 BC)

• History of physical education in India starts from the Indus valley civilaztion
when most of the nations in Europe had not even opened their eyes.
• The excavations at Mohanjodaro and Harappa reveal many interesting
things; there were gigantic public baths as we find in later Roman period,
where people used to do some exercise to keep themselves physically fit. Oil
massaging seems to be widely known to ancient people. Gambling was one
of the most popular sports in this period of prehistoric reckoning.
• People of Indus valley civilization were very closely tied to survival they were
doing boating, fishing, hunting and fishing. Recreation and entertainment
also done here. Dancing was believed as a ritual that brings the individual
into the appropriate bodily and mental sates for relating to the gods and
other persons.
 VEDIC PERIOD (2500 – 600 B.C)

• Hindu’s holy Sanskrit scripture viz, the Vedas Upanishads etc., contain a graphic account of
the ancient Hindus or the Aryans who had settled down at the Indo Gangetic plain. In the
early days of their settlement, they lived a pastoral and agricultural life. They were very good
hunters, and relished non-vegetarian food than vegetarian.

• The Veda is a religious book, it not only tells us about their religion but also tells about
their social, mental, political and geographical nature.

• Suryanamaskara was performed as a duty during those days and later on it was developed
as a popular exercise for physical development of people.

• Pranayama was also done for breathing exercise and the purification of soul.

• Music and dancing were well known.

• Archery, boxing, chariot racing, running, horse riding and wrestling also existed as trends in
the society. Ball games were also played by both men as well as women. Games with ball
seems to have been the chief outdoor activity to develop physical fitness.

• Practice of yoga was recommended for the development of spiritual strength.

 3. Early Hindu Period (Epic Period) - (600 B.C. – 320 A.D.)
and
Later Hindu Period (320 A.D. – 1000 A.D.)
• Ramayana and Mahabharata make a great deal of reference to physical training and
recreation. The great epics of Hindu religions – Ramayana and Mahabharata comprehensively
depict the social, religious and political state of the contemporary society.

• The activities like horse riding, chariot race, sword fighting, wrestling, archery, javelin throwing
etc. were most common during this period

• The study of scripture, philosophy, ethics and physical education was obligatory for the
students at the Gurukula. Physical activity for health, fitness and sport and also to keep ready
for war and essential factors of Gurukula education.

• Dancing and gambling were considered as a spot for pleasure and were very common and we
know that the root cause of Mahabharata was gambling

• Nalanda and Takhsashila was a great center of learning-a university; where more than 6000
students from various parts of the country

• Physical education was an obligatory activity for all students there.

 4. Medieval Period ( Muslim-Moghal) (1000 A.D. - 1757 A.D)
• In this period the physical education leads to the development of body fitness and
concentration training which includes activities like yoga and meditation etc. are because of
supremacy of one over the other. Boxing, swimming, hunting, animal fight, pigeon flying,
chess etc., were common during this period.

• Physical education continued to play an important role in the life of the countries and soldiers
during Muslim-Mughal period,

• Mughal emperors were very experts in playing chess. Mughals were great patrons of wrestling
as it served dual purpose as a recreation game as well as suitable actually for war
preparedness. They encouraged the wrestling schools and even kept wrestlers in their courts.
Often dands and baithaks were used to develop muscular power and elasticity.

• The Muslim rulers very much interested and experts in sword fighting. Emperor Akbar was a
very famous player of Dice game and he was also very much fond of polo.

• Mallakamba were also popular and practiced regularly in this period. The art of Mallakamba
was revived and new types of Mallakamba known as Hanging Mallakamba were introduced
during this period.
 5. Chivalry Period (Rajput Period) - (300 – 1200 A.D.)

• The Rajput’s were incredibly brave, but vain and proud of their origin, ancestry, linage

and linkage. Their spirit of sacrifice for personal honor and dignity has no parallel in the

world history.

• The Rajput boys and girls had lessons in martial arts. Horse riding, sword fighting, and

spear fighting were there specialties.

• Wrestling was very famous and the wrestling motif was popular among sculptors of the

period. Archery occupied an important place in the physical training of youngsters.

• The activities like chariot race, javelin throw, sword fight, horse riding, and other many

similar activities are very common and taught to the children.

 6. British Period (Before 1947)
• India has been ruled by many foreign rulers (Muslims, the Portuguese, the French and
British). They had their own interest which ultimately adversely affected the indigenous
sports activities.
• Among the foreign rulers it was the British who were successful in establishing their rule in
India with great supremacy and ruled for about 200 years.
• The Mughal-Muslim domination of India was replaced by the British domination after the
battle of Plassey in 1757 first with the East India Company being at the helm of affairs.
• Then British Crown becoming sovereign ruler in 1857.
• The British period was a period of repression, suppression, revenge, revolution, reformation,
education, enlightenment, awakening, political rising and unrelenting struggle for freedom.
The Indian subjugation to the British Crown was undoubtedly a demonic curse but the British
domination of India proved to a great blessing in disguise, because it brought the country to
the threshold of the modern age of science, technology, education and democracy- all
important for development and creation nation state.
• During British regime, education had different meaning but physical education was accepted
as its integral part.
• Modern games and sports entered India during British period.
• Due to the efforts of famous British Educationist Lord Machelle, in 1857, number of schools,
colleges and Universities were opened in Indian cities like Bombay, Madras, Calcutta etc. It is
most important progressive development in the Indian education system.
• After 1825, the entire system of physical education rapidly deteriorated to the unexpected levels.
The events of daily life started moving just in opposite direction to the previous period in the
strong grip of British Rule. During this period Western civilization influenced the Indian culture
with the result that the youngsters developed an aversion towards the indigenous activities

• In 1882, for the first time an Indian Education Commission was set up and recommended that
“Physical training be promoted in the interest of the youth by encouragement of native games,
gymnastics and other exercises suited to each class of school. Games and Sports like cricket,
hockey, volleyball, soccer etc., became popular without much organized effort”.

• VyayamShalas, Kreeda Mandals etc. were considered as typical wrestling schools and continued
to carry on the traditional activities such as dands, baitheks, fold dances, wrestling, and the
indigenous games and sports like kabaddi, aatyapatya etc.,

• During this process, physical education has existed as module theory and practical in schools and
colleges.

• Many committees, organizations came into existence to develop this field. The institutions
established during British period had contributed a lot and still contributing.
• In the year 1908 Dr. Henry Gray came to India and became the first physical director of
the National Y.M.C.A at Calcutta.

• Later on, Mr.H.C Buck, who founded Y.M.C.A College of physical education in Madras in
1920 and became the physical director of the institution .
• This institution had attracted students from neighboring countries also. Mr. Buck
remained as the director till his death.
• Dr.A.G.Noohren and Mr.Buck both took steps for the formation of All India Olympic
committee in the year 1923.
• Mr. Buck also compiled “A Book of Rules of Games and Sports”.
• 1928 HaumanVyayamPrasarak Mandal, Amaravati was founded, in 1931 Government
of Physical Education in Hyderabad, Christen College of Physical Education Lucknow in
1932 were established and put great effort since then for upliftment of physical
education.
• During British period in India Y.M.C.A has attempted many efforts to develop sports
and health programs. Many games like basketball and volley ball has been invented
and popularized by the Y.M.C.A group.
• The National Council of Y.M.C.A s of India was formed in Madras on February 21st,
1891 through the initiative of David McConaughy Y.M.C.A’s contribution in the society
during British period through various health related and educational programs were
revolutionary and highly appreciated.
 7. Physical Education in India (after 1947)

• After getting independence in 1947, India made rapid progress in all aspects. For
the development of physical education and recreation a number of schemes
were implemented by the government of India. The Tara Chand Committee was
set up in the year 1948, this committee made several recommendations for the
development of physical education and recreation in the country which included
the establishment of Central Institution of Physical Education and Recreation.

• The Central Advisory Board of Physical Education (C.A.B.P.E.R) was set up in 1950
to advise the government on all matters pertaining to physical education.

• In 1951, the first Asian Games were held at New Delhi, which encouraged the
Indian youth to take part in games and sports at the international level.

• In the year 1953, the Ministry of Health, Government of India initiated a

Coaching Scheme for games and sports when the late Rajkumari Amrit Kaur was
the Health Minister. The scheme was intended to provide training to athletes in
various games and sports.
• To promote the indigenous physical activities a National Plan of Physical Education and
Recreation was prepared by the Central Advisory Board of Physical Education in the year
1956 .
• In 1954, All India Council of Sports (A.I.C.S) came into existence. This acted as a link between
the Government and the National Federations for the various games and sports and offered
financial assistance to these federations.

• Government of India set up an Achoc Enquiry Committee on games and sports in 1958 for the
improvement of sports in national and international level. Achoc Enquiry Committee
recommended many short- and long-term planning for uplifting of sports field. Various
schemes were launched to benefit and motivate sports persons.

• In the year 1958 Sports Youth Welfare Department was opened by the Ministry of Education
promote physical Education in the country.

• In the year 1961, National Institute of Sports was established at Moti Bagh, Patiala, Punjab, to
produce qualitative coaches in particular games and sports.

• A Southern Coaching Centre was established in 1974 at Bangalore

• In 1965 a new venture called as National Fitness Corps was set up.
• In the year 1982 Asian Games were conducted in Delhi. It was a great step towards
promotion of physical education and sports in India. For hosting, these games huge
infrastructure were built and sports industries were encouraged to manufacture sports
goods of top quality.

• To look after, to maintain and to generate funds for the sports infrastructure, Sports
Authority of India (SAI) was established in 1982

• SAI acts as the main source of improving and raising the sports and games in India. The
general body is being headed by the Prime Minister who acts as the president. The
governing body is headed by the Minister of Human Resource Development and has Union
Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports as its Vice President
SAI centers in India
• Bangalore,
• Calcutta,
• Chandigarh,
• Gandhi Nagar
• Imphal and
• Delhi – THESE ARE SIX REGIONS
 Aim and Objectives of Physical Education
The aim of physical education is the wholesome development of the personality
of an individual physically fit, mentally alerts, emotionally balanced, socially well
adjusted, morally true and spiritually uplifted.

Physical education aims to make people healthy, i.e. healthy in body, mind
and looks to the maximum development of the child’s, Potentialities and
such qualities like perseverance, team spirit, leadership, obedience to rules,
and all it prepares a complete man.

According to National plan of Physical Education and Recreation - “The aim

of physical education must be to make every child physically, mentally, and
emotionally fit and also to develop in him such personal and social qualities
as will help him to live happily with others and build him up as a good
citizen"
 Objectives of Physical Education
The means which are being used to realize the goals are called objectives. It can
be said that objectives are advances and steps which relate to the goals. They do an
important function of measuring up to the standards of the goals and because of this
reason they are considered very important and worthwhile,
Objectives are those weapons which can help in brining set aims or goals up to the
realization point. Objectives are desirable and they seem possible of being realized.
Objectives are steps towards the attainment of aim.
Various experts have provided different objectives of physical education, some of
which are as follows: -
• Development of health and physique of the individual
• Mental or emotional development of the individual
• Development of neuromuscular capabilities.
• Development of physical efficiency and also to maintain fit throughout the life.
• To help individual to learn efficiently in physical activities and also to perform
actively in other activities of life.
• To develop understanding of time, mass-energy and related concepts.
• To provide all individuals a controlled or equal opportunity to participate in physical
activities.
• Development of motor abilities of the individual.
 Main Objectives of Physical Education
The following five are the main objectives of physical education: -

1. Physical Development
• Proper growth and development of the body
• Proper growth and functioning of various systems of the body such as respiratory
system, circulatory system, digestive system, nervous system, muscular system
• To promote physical fitness
2. Social Development
• Developing qualities of cooperation, friendliness, sympathy, respect for the rights of
others, , honesty in group competition
• Becoming a worthy member of home/society
• Developing social consciousness and adaptability with respect to the requirements of
group living
• To develop sense of responsibility, a sense of patriotism
3. Mental Development
• Development of healthy interests and attitudes
• Satisfaction and channelizing of emotions
• Removing worry, tension, etc. through participation in sports
• Understanding health problems and their prevention, resistance to disease
• To prepare an individual for making worthy use of leisure
• Resolving the conflicts
• Developing sufficient knowledge and insight to make suitable decisions and arrive at
feasible solutions.
4. Neuro Muscular Development
• Development of skills through neuro muscular coordination
• The development of neuro-muscular coordination develops control and balance of the
body
• To achieve the ability to perform physical work with ease and grace

5. Emotional Development
• Development of self-confidence, self-control, self-reliance,
• Development of sportsmanship
• Developing emotional stability to meet the stresses and strains of modern life.
• Developing leadership qualities
• Development of personality
 Need and importance of Physical Education
• There is a great need of physical education in the present era in the interest
of total wellbeing of a child. Man can live healthy and better life only by
doing physical exercise. It’s known that “A Sound Mind in Sound Body”,
which means healthy mind is in healthy body.

• Physical education is a very developed area and it has a very wide scope.
Today, it is not mere limited to various kinds of physical exercises. All the
factors or activities which help in developing an individual’s personality are
included in it now. It consists of all the areas or facets of human activities.

• The objective of physical education programmes is not only to train or

create outstanding players, it has to maintain the health of all the people
using or participating in it.
• This is an age of automation and industrial revolution. Life has become more
inactive than before which is detrimental to the health, growth, and development of a
child. Youths are inclined to be onlookers rather than participants in various activities. It
is however, to be noted that if one is going to be fit in all aspects to carry out his duties,
he must have stamina, strength and skill to accomplish his duties without undue fatigue
or boredom. Physical activity is very essential for every individual.
• Physical education cultivates among people good attitudes and values, pattern of
social behavior, providing opportunity for training in acceptable ways of expressing ideas
and emotions. Through its sports programme, it breaks down groups and racial
prejudices, broadens outlook and avoids narrow feelings, among competitors. It also
contributes to culture by teaching historical significance of games, sports and other
physical education activities. Thus it promotes social adjustment of the individuals.