WHY PHYSICAL EDUCATION

The newer and modern concept of physical education is

that it is education through physical activities. In modern physical
education parlance it is education through “ movement”.
Wunderlich (1967) says of movement. It provides sensory data. It
broadens the perceptive horizon. It stimulates function and
structure of all bodily organs. It is the means by which an individual
learns about himself in relation to his ambient environment. What
education through movement more particularly entails in addition
is 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 desirable
outcomes, regardless of whether or not those activities have
intrinsic worth of their own.

Physical education performs three functions biologic

integrative, and social. Biologic function refers to the enhancement
of the individual’s growth and development through body
movement. Integrative function refers to personality integration
achieved through participation in properly selected physical
education activities. The informal nature of the activities is such
that they provide relaxation and relief from strains and tensions,
provide opportunities for socialization, as well as the development
of the mental capacities of the individual. The social function
consists of transmitting values and standards that are consistent
with the needs and ideals of society.

All in all, physical education as education “through”

movement is best conceived of as being that part of the
educational process which aims to enhance and harmonize the
physical, intellectual, social and emotional aspects of a prowing
individual chiefly through professionally selected and directed
physical activities.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION DEFINED

Physical education is an integral part of the educational

program designed to promote the optimum development of the
individual physically, socially, emotionally, and mentally through
total body movement in the performance of properly selected
physical activities.
THE TEACHING OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION IN PHILIPPINE SCHOOLS

FITNESS – A MAJOR GOAL OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Different people differ in their concept of fitness. In the filed

of physical education, the concept of fitness has implications for
physical, social, emotional and mental well - being. Considering
these four aspects, it can be said that fitness is the ability to live a
healthy, satisfying and useful life. This kind 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 his

basic needs as physical well being, love, affection, security and self
– respect. He lives happily with other people because he likes them
and is interested in them. He has an interest and desire to serve
humanity and believes in and exemplifies high ethical standards.
Because of his close relationship with people and future events he
lives an interesting and exciting life.

Physical education as a part of the educational system strives

to help or facilitate the development of the potentialities of the
individual so that he can attain total fitness to enable him to
enjoy 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 which justify the existence of physical education in the
curriculum.

Physical Development

Through carefully selected physical education activities, an

individual who participates actively will develop and maintain good
health and a high level of physical fitness. The acquisition of
physical skills can motivate an individual to participate further in
physical activities, hence, his growth and development will be
enhanced.
Social Development

Participation in physical education activities provides

opportunities for the development of desirable social traits needed
for adjustment to the social life in general. Some worthwhile traits
are.

Friendliness

Cooperation
Respect for the rights of others
Good sportsmanship
Good leadership and followership
Honesty in group competition

Emotional Development

The informal nature of physical education activities offers

opportunities for self espression and emotional mastery.
Examples of worthwhile emotional traits are:

Self – confidence
Self – control
Self - -reliance
Courage
Determination

Mental Develompment

Through participation in physical education activities the

individual develops his mental capacities as he learn the
mechanical principles underlying movement, as he acquires
knowledge and understanding of rules and strategies of games and
sports, and as he discovers ways of improving hi movement in
gymnastics and dance.

THE CONCEPT OF PHYSICAL FITNESS

Physical fitness is the primary specific objective in teaching

physical education. Therefore, it is on order that the physical
education teacher should have the correct concept of physical
fitness. Physical fitness is the ability to perform one’s daily tasks
efficiently without undue fatigue but witj extra “reserve” in case of
emergency. The specific components of physical fitness are:
 Organic vigor – refers to the soundness of the heart and the
lungs which contributes to the ability to resist disease.
Endurance – Is the ability to sustain long continued
contractions where a number of muscle groups are used the
capacity to bear or last long in certain task without undue fatigue.
Strength – is the capacity to sustain the application of force
without yielding or breaking: the ability of the muscles to exert
effort against a resistance.
Power – refers to ability of the muscles to release maximum
force in the shortest period of time.
Flexibility – is a quality of plasticity which gives the ability to
do a wide range of movement.
Agility – is the ability of the individual to change direction or
position in space with quickness and lightness of movement.
Balance – is the ability to control organic equipment neuro-
muscularly: a state of equilibrium
Speed – is the ability to make successive movements of the
same kind in the shortest period of time.

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 is contained in Presidential Decree No. 6-A which is entitled
the “ 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
3. To strengthen national consciousness and promote desirable
cultural values in a changing world.

The foregoing development goals must provide direction to

the teaching of physical education. How many physical education
relevantize itself to these development goals? What can the
physical education teacher do to be able 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

A physical education teacher in a developing country like the

Philippines should be able to identify the purposes in teaching
physical education so that he will understand his important
contribution in education of the Filipino child as well as his service
to our country. The following purposes of physical education have
been identified by physical education specialist in our country:

1. To develop optimum physical fitness and health of the

individual so that he is capable of living the “good life” and of
contribution to 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
open-mindedness.
b. proper emphasis on problem solving skills such that an individual
can identify a problem correctly and master the skills necessary or
useful in school and 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:

a. through an adequate system of values by equipping the

individual to be able to make moral choices or decisions needed by
daily living.

b. through offering group participation in such experiences as

intramurals, extramurals, play days or sports fests

4. To develop creativity and innovativeness inspired by an abiding

in god and love of country and fellowmen

5. To instill a love of and pride for our rich cultural heritage and
strive for their preservation, and develop an understanding of the
culture of others for a feeling of international brotherhood and
unity.