When was physical education introduced

After the American Civil War, schools enacted laws necessitating physical education programs in public schools to prepare future generations for war. Nonetheless, schools eventually used these classes to take health seriously and offered more attention to physical health and development. The government then passed legislation to improve the quality of these courses.

By World War II, physical education became common for men and women to cultivate their physiques for combat and manual labor. Since the military draft rejected some men from childhood malnutrition, President Franklin D. Soon after, a national fear arose concerning the rapid weight gain of American children. President John F. Kennedy became an advocate for physical education and fitness in America, campaigning for it even before his election.

Incorporating the federal and state governments ensured the American people would recognize the national need for reform. Many colleges also began offering courses to help students understand the human body, improve their physical capabilities, and increase their self-worth. Initially, girls leaned towards gymnastics as boys engaged in rougher sports.

In , the U. House of Representatives created an amendment to the Federal Education Act to prevent gender discrimination in physical education. Women could participate in more sports in their schools. Physical education programs have expanded to inform students of all aspects of fitness, including strength, flexibility, endurance, body composition, and nutrition.

Learning the basics of these pillars encourages a life of health and wellness. Imbalances may lead to injury and illness, but working on each of these areas reduces the risk of all-cause mortality, improves mental health and cognitive performance, and increases the quality of life. Of the 50 states, 38 require school districts to follow physical education standards laid out in the National Standards for Physical Education , and 43 states have made physical education a mandatory part of the curriculum.

The history of physical education dates back to ancient Greece, where competition and intensity were second nature. During this time, physical education proved to be important because it was a necessity in training both Greek soldiers and athletes. For children, physical education and training would begin when they were around seven years old, with the goal being to eventually have them be well-skilled in activities like boxing, chariot races, and more.

For this to happen, they needed to understand their body and what went into physical activity, thus physical education played a large role in the progression of the Greek society. By the midth century, physical education would make its way to the United States. The reasoning was similar to that of what the Greeks were using it for, which was to both educate and train soldiers for eventual battle.

However, over the course of time, physical education would develop into something much more monumental. Schools across the country would begin to take health-related topics more seriously, both on the playground and in the classroom, and courses targeted toward physical development would be given more attention.

Colleges would follow suit as well, and schools all over the United States would eventually offer a variety of courses that would help to grow the physical ability, give a true understanding of the human body, and increase confidence among America's youth. Originally, physical education programs in the United States saw girls mostly involved with gymnastics, while the boys would partake in rougher activities. However, over time, both male and female individuals would become educated on elements such as body composition, flexibility, nutrition, and endurance.

Obesity isn't just an issue that America is facing in the modern day. Following World War II, there was fear that the country's youth were gaining weight at a fast pace and thus becoming out of shape. One of the biggest advocates for physical fitness and education in America was John F.

Kennedy, who made his voice heard on the subject even before he was elected to office as the 35th president of the United States. While in office, one of Kennedy's biggest goals was to improve the level of physical fitness across the country.

During his time as president, he also ordered the creation of a White House Committee on Health and Fitness, which incorporated an annual Youth Fitness Congress, including governors from each of the states.

By including the federal government in this movement, President Kennedy not only showed that he himself cared about physical fitness across the United States but that the American people should have a vested interest, too. In 43 states across the nation, physical education has become a mandatory part of the curriculum in schools.

By incorporating physical fitness into schools, studies have also shown that districts have helped play a role in improving students' learning. In , in a study conducted by both the Department of Education and the New York Health Department, it was found there there was a definite relationship between physical fitness in schools and higher academic success rates in public schools.

One year later, in , this point was further established in a report from the CDC. Today, of the 50 states in the nation, 41 of them require physical education for their middle-school students. Physical education is beneficial for both the bodies and minds of students.

By being more active, students will also benefit by being able to better avoid injury, they will have more confidence, and they can see improved mental health. It's important to educate students on the benefits of playground and in-school physical activity and instruct them on issues related to the human body and other health-related issues to give them a better understanding of how their body works.

Today, through physical education, children and young adults are able to participate in activities such as exercise, team and individual sports, gymnastics, dance, and much more. Find more about the author: Kim Hart. Mon-Fri am - pm EST. Help Close How can we help you? Live Chat Online. AAA State of Play. Playground Structures Explore All.

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Since , physical education has been given increased time, attention and priority in American schools. Through increasing the opportunities for exercise, teaching the importance of regular physical activity for health, and teaching skills that support physical activities, physical education makes students more likely to choose healthy and active lifestyles.

Regular physical activity has been proven to benefit not only student's physical well-being, but also their academic performance. Exercise improves circulation, increases blood flow to the brain, and raises endorphin levels, all of which help to reduce stress, improve mood and attitude, and increase concentration. Physical education is part of the curriculum in schools throughout the States, but this isn't enough to prevent rising numbers of obese and unhealthy children.

This is partly due to the amount of physical education on the timetable. The National Association for Sport and Physical Education recommend that children be engaged in at least 60 minutes of physical activity on all or most days of the week. However, few schools have daily physical activity, and many have cut the length of recess in order to give children more time to study.

Physical education has come a long way over the past years, but it needs to be given still more time and attention if it is to improve the nation's health.