Foundations of Physical Education and Psychomotor Development
Core Definitions in Physical Education
Physical Education (EF) aims to assist the individual in the development and refinement of all their capabilities and human potential, through the process of motor and physical interaction with their environment, utilizing human and material resources.
Physical Activity (AF) is any intentional bodily movement, realized by skeletal muscles, which is associated with an expenditure of energy and personal experience, and allows us to interact with the surrounding environment and beings.
Fundamental Objectives of Physical Education
The fundamental objectives of EF are, generally, to achieve higher motor availability and control. More specifically, these include:
- Awareness of one’s body.
- Acquisition of basic movement patterns and their components.
- Development of static and dynamic balance ability.
- Development of basic skills: movement, jumps, and turns.
- Indirect development of motor execution factors.
Historical Context and Methodologies
INEF Foundation (1967, Madrid)
Key figures in the establishment of the National Institute of Physical Education (INEF) in 1967 include José María Cagigal and JC Legido Arce.
The Psychokinetic Method
The Psychokinetic Method is a general educational method used for teaching human movement in all its forms. It is characterized by an educational philosophy that seeks a better understanding of oneself.
Major Currents in Physical Education
- Psychomotor approach
- European and American center models
- Serra (1987) approach
- Multisport approach
Understanding the Psychomotor Concept
The Psychomotor Concept is based on a global vision of the person. The term integrates cognitive, emotional, symbolic, and sensorimotor interactions within the individual’s ability to be and express themselves in a social context.
The Austrian School of Gymnastics
This school stems from the ideas of the French Natural Gymnastics method, the English sporting and recreation method, and the focus on the outdoors (G. Schmidt).
Sensory Receptors and Information Processing
Exteroceptors
Exteroceptors report sensations originating outside the body in space. They are found in the organs of the senses.
- Acuity: The ability to distinguish small details and differences.
- Memory: The ability to recall stimuli when they are no longer present.
- Tracking (Follow-up): The ability to follow the movement of different stimuli.
Proprioceptors
Proprioceptive Receptors report the position of the body (or body segments) in space. They are found in muscles, tendons, joints, the inner ear, and some skin areas.
Kinesthetic Receptors
- Muscle Spindles: Sensory proprioceptors located within the muscle structure, stimulated by sufficient muscle stretch.
- Golgi Tendon Organ: Sensory receptor located in tendons, responsible for measuring the tension developed by the muscle.
- Articular Receptors: Groups of sense organs located in the synovial joint capsules that inform the Central Nervous System (CNS) about joint position.
- Ruffini: Reports on flexion-extension and abduction-adduction movements.
- Paccini: Reports on the speed of movement and vibration.
Vestibular Receptors
- Semicircular Canals: Report on the rotational movements of the head.
- Utricle and Saccule: Report on translational and flexo-extension movements of the head.
Interoceptors
Interoceptors inform us about the state of our internal organs.
Body Schema and Motor Development Laws
Body Schema (Esquema Corporal): The immediate and ongoing knowledge we have of our body, whether static or moving, in relation to the space and objects around us.
Developmental Laws
Cephalocaudal Law (Head to Foot): Describes the acquisition of control from the head downwards:
- Oculo-motor/facial muscle control (12–16 weeks)
- Neck control (4 months)
- Domain of the sitting position (12–14 months)
- First steps, synchronized walking of arms and legs (2 years)
Proximodistal Law (Center to Extremities): Development proceeds from the center of the body to the extremities (e.g., visual location of objects leading to hand grip).
Components of Body Schema
- Laterality: Asymmetric preference in the use of body parts.
- Attitude: Psychophysiological postural response to the natural environment.
- Tone: Minimum muscular tension required for a comfortable and proper posture.
- Body Awareness and Control.
- Respiration: Maintaining vital function and body relaxation.
Body Knowledge: Global or regional perception of the body.
Body Control: Mastering the body (achieving segmental independence).
Laterality and Cerebral Function
Sidedness/Laterality: Used to define the dominance or specialization of one cerebral hemisphere for specific functions.
Cerebral Lobes and Motor Function
- Parietal Lobe: Area of the body schema.
- Temporal Lobe: Auditory area and vestibular stimulation.
- Occipital Lobe: Visual area.
- Frontal Lobe: Motor function.
Factors influencing Laterality: Neurophysiological, genetic, and social.