Physical Education: Meaning, Definitions, Aims, and Objectives
Physical Education: Meaning and Core Concepts
Let’s begin by clarifying what Physical Education (PE) is not. PE does not mean punishing fitness and conditioning exercises (“No Pain, No Gain”), even when inflicted as a form of punishment (“Give twenty Pushups or twenty Dand Baithaks”). Physical Education is not merely play or recreational time when no instruction need occur, nor is it a non-intellectual activity with no claim to a place in formal education.
What Physical Education Truly Is
Physical Education, when planned and taught properly, is “education through the physical.” This means the activity serves as a medium through which a total learning experience takes place.
Do you recall the first time you ever jogged a kilometer or two, or first rode a bicycle? If you have been successful at some relatively difficult and strenuous physical feat, what happened to your self-esteem? In likelihood, your achievement created a more positive outlook of yourself. In addition, you may have been encouraged to try other types of activities. Such experiences improve the total being of the participants.
In other words, physical activity not only improves our physical health but enhances emotional outlook and even stimulates intellectual activity and ability. In short, it improves “wellness” in that it enhances the totality of the participants.
Physical Education focuses on the teaching of skills, the acquisition of knowledge, and the development of attitudes through movement. Most public schools, colleges, and universities recognize the importance of physical education by making it a part of the curriculum. School physical education and wellness programs provide each student with various opportunities—from the assessment of fitness levels and the appropriate activities that will help overcome personal weaknesses to the acquisition of lifetime fitness-type activities.
Definitions of Physical Education
Historically, physical education programs focused on teaching children and youth in the school setting. The traditional definition of physical education reflects this educational focus.
Contemporary Definition and Scope
Since 1960, a tremendous amount of change has taken place in physical education. The expansion of physical education beyond its traditional realm to non-school settings and the development of programs to instruct people of all ages in physical activities require a more inclusive, contemporary definition.
Today, physical education is defined as an educational process that uses physical activity as a means to help individuals acquire skills, fitness, knowledge, and attitudes that contribute to their optimal development and well-being. In this definition, the term education refers to the ongoing process of learning that occurs throughout one’s lifespan.
Education, just like physical education, takes place in a variety of settings and is not limited to a specific age group. Examples of expanded settings include:
- Home schooling
- Preschooling
- Distance learning programs
- Workplace health promotion programs
Teachers today may be called instructors, leaders, or facilitators. Today’s students span the age range, from the very young exploring movement skills in preschool programs to the elderly learning how to play golf through a community recreation program.
The Developmental Model
Most physical education programs today are based on a developmental model. This model purports that physical education, through the use of carefully structured physical activity, contributes to the development of the whole person. Physical Education includes:
- The acquisition and refinement of motor skills.
- The development and maintenance of fitness for optimal health and well-being.
- The attainment of knowledge about physical activities.
- The fostering of positive attitudes conducive to lifelong learning and lifespan participation.
As Ziegler states, “we have a ‘womb to tomb’ responsibility for the developmental physical activity for all citizens throughout their lives.”
Scholarly Study and Career Growth
Within the last more than five decades, there has been an increase in the scholarly study of physical education. Research continues to expand our knowledge with respect to the preparation of physical education teachers, teacher effectiveness, teaching methods, teaching ambience, and improvement of student learning. Further, it also provides us with new insights on coaches’ and athletes’ behavior. The realm of physical education today embraces many different programs, diverse settings, and people of all ages. This recent growth has been accompanied by an increased interest in its scholarly study, leading to the development of specialized areas of knowledge. The subsequent increase in breadth and depth of knowledge provides a foundation for professional practice. The expansion of physical education has led to a tremendous growth of career opportunities for enthusiastic and committed professionals.
Aim and Objectives of Physical Education
The Primary Aim of PE
According to the National Plan of Physical Education and Recreation, “The aim of education is the optimum development of the physically, socially, and mentally integrated and adjusted individual through guided instruction and participation in selected total-body sports, rhythmic and gymnastic activities conducted according to social and hygienic standards.”
The aim exhibits a physically active lifestyle and also focuses on achieving and maintaining a health-enhancing level of physical fitness. In general, the aim of physical education is the wholesome development of an individual. Alternatively, the aim of physical education is complete living, resulting in a physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally healthy human being.
Aims According to Key Figures
J.F. Williams’ Perspective
J.F. Williams stated: “Physical education should aim to provide skilled leadership, adequate facilities and ample time for the individual and the groups to participate in activities that are physically wholesome, mentally stimulating and socially sound.”
Ministry of Education and National Planning
According to the Ministry of Education and National Planning of Physical Education and Recreation, the aim of physical education must be to ensure every child is physically, mentally, and emotionally fit, and also to develop in him/her such personal and social qualities as will help him/her to live happily with others and build him/her into a good citizen.
Objectives of Physical Education
Leading figures in this field advocate different objectives based on their concepts:
H. Clarke’s Three Objectives
- Physical fitness
- Social efficiency
- Culture
Bookwalter’s Three Objectives
- Health
- Worthy use of leisure time
- Ethical character
Leslie’s Five Objectives of Development
- Organic aspect of development
- Neuro-muscular aspect of development
- Emotional aspect of development
- Social aspect of development
- Intellectual aspect of development