Unit 1

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Introduction

Physical Education as a subject in the curriculum has been dejectedly uncared

for in the past and has suffered many setbacks due to misconceptions among the
teachers and administrators who, perhaps, never had the chance to be acquainted
more about the field. It is, therefore, necessary that this subject area be properly
defined and interpreted so that it will receive its rightful emphasis in the educational
program.
In this unit, the students taking PATH-FIT 1 - (Physical Activity towards
Health and Fitness) as a required subject will comprehend better about the meaning
of Physical Education and the coverage of the course. There is almost undisputed
agreement that optimum health is one's most esteemed possession. Schopenhauer,
the German philosopher expressed this thought when he wisely remarked, "the
greatest of follies is to neglect one's health for any advantage of life."
A study of history of nations shows that advancement is directly related to the
physical, mental, and emotional health of the people. In the process of improving
and maintaining optimum health, it is necessary for all people of all ages to
participate in physical exercise; there is an ample variation in the types of exercise,
which are recommended for different age groups.

General Objectives:

At the end of the unit, the students are expected to:

define physical education and interpret its meaning in relation to life
situation;
analyze fitness as the major goal of physical education;
discuss the general objectives of PE as a part of educational system and its
legal bases;
state the purposes of Physical Education in a developing country; and
participate actively in the discussion.

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Physical Education: Definition, Goals, Objectives and Functions

Specific Objectives:

Explain the meaning of Physical Education;

Define fitness as the major goal of Physical Education; and
Differentiate the objectives of Physical Education.

Definition of Physical Education

Physical Education has undergone many vicissitudes and numerous changes

of path in the Philippine schools. There was a time when Physical Education was
considered as education of the physical, hence, a muscular physique was
considered as a physical educated body. The activities then were termed as "drill",
"physical training" and "calisthenics". This old concept of physical education
would, in all respect, mean today as strengthening the muscles.
The newer and modern perception of physical education is that it is education
through physical activities. In modern physical education idiom, it is education
through "movement." Wunderlich (1967) describes of movement as follows:
1. It provides sensory data.
2. It broadens the perspective horizon.
3. It stimulates function and structure of all bodily organs.
4. It is the means by which an individual learns about himself in relation to
his ambient environment.

What "education through movement" more particularly entails 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 enviable outcomes, despite the consequences of whether or not those
activities have essential worth of their own. Moreover, Physical Education focuses
on the concept of "learn to move, move to learn" An individual must know how to
move in order to learn on how to move in order to acquire and learn the needed
knowledge in a certain activity.

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Physical Education

Physical Education is an integral part of the education program

purposely to promote the optimum development of the individual
physically, socially, emotionally, and mentally through total movement in
the performance of properly selected physical activities (Andin, 2002).
Phase of education concerned with the teaching and learning of skills and
attitudes in play activities.
It is an aspect of education that may be appropriately described as
education through physical exertion.

Legal Bases of Teaching Physical Education in the Philippines Setting

1901 Physical exercise was one of the subjects introduced in the public
schools and regular program of athletics was developed.
1920 Physical Education was made a required subject subjects in the
curriculum of all public schools.
1937 Physical Education was made curricular subject in the secondary school
curriculum.
1969 The School of Physical Education and Sports Development Act of 1969.
A program of activities included among others:
1. A program of health education and nutrition,
2. A program of physical fitness for all pupils,
3. A program of competitive athletics,
4. A program of intramurals and inter-unit athletic competition within
schools, districts, and provinces; and
5. An annual athletic competitions within and among regions.

1982 MAPE was introduced and the learning area involves music, arts, and
physical education.
(Foundation of Physical Education by Carmen Andin)

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 Article 1 of the International Charter of Physical Education and Sports,
UNESCO, Paris (1975) and Recommendation I, Inter-Disciplinary Regional
Meeting of Experts in Physical Education and Sports, UNESCO, Brisbane (1982).
The practice of Physical Education and Sports is a fundamental right of All and the
right should not be treated as different in principle from the right of adequate food,
shelter and medicines.

Article XIV Section 19 (1) & (2) of the 1987 Philippine Constitution mandates
that:
(1)”The state shall promote physical education and encourage sports programs,
league competitions, and amateur sports, including training for international
competitions, to foster self-discipline, teamwork, and excellence for the
development of a healthy and alert citizenry.”
(2)”All educational institutions shall undertake regular sports activities
throughout the country in cooperation with athletic clubs and other sectors.”

Functions of Physical Education

Physical Education performs three functions which are:

1. Biologic Function -- refers to the enhancement of the individuals'

growth and development through body movement.
2. Integrative Function - refers to the personality integration achieved
through participation in properly selected physical
3. Social Function -- refers to the transmitting values and standards that
are consistent with the needs and ideals of the society.

All in all, Physical Education as education "through" movement is best

conceived of as being that component of the educational process which aims to
improve and complement the individual chiefly through professionally selected
and directed physical

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Fitness – is A Major Goal of Physical Education

Different people differ in their notion of fitness. In the field of Physical

Education, the concept of fitness has implications for physical, social, emotional,
and mental well-being. In view of these four aspects, it can be said that FITNESS
is the ability to live a healthy, satisfying, and useful life. This type 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 the basic needs as
physical well-being, love, affection, security and self-respect. He lives blissfully
with other people and is interested in them. He has an interest and yearning to
serve humanity and believes in and exemplifies high ethical standards. Because
of his secure relationship with people and future events, he lives a remarkable
and stimulating life.
Physical education as a component of the educational system strives to aid
or facilitate the development of an individual so that he can achieve total fitness
to allow him to envoys 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 in the curriculum.
Physical Development
Through cautiously selected physical education activities, an individual
who participates energetically will develop and maintain good health and a high
level of physical fitness. The attainment of physical skills can motivate an
individual who participates further in physical activities; hence, his growth and
development will be improved.

Social Development
Involvement in Physical Education activities provides Opportunities for the
development of enviable social traits needed for adjustment to the social life in
general.

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Some worthwhile traits are:
1. friendliness
2. cooperation
3. respect for the rights of others
4. good sportsmanship
5. good leadership and followership
6. honesty in group competition

Emotional Development

The informal nature of physical education activities offers opportunities for

self-expression and emotional mastery. Examples of worthwhile emotional traits
are:

1. self-confidence
2. self-control
3. self-reliance
4. courage
5. determination

Mental Development

Through participation in physical education activities, the individual

develops his mental capacities as he learns the mechanical principles of
underlying movements, as he obtains knowledge and understanding of the rules
and strategies of the games and sports, and as he discovers ways of improving his
movement in gymnastics and dance. Likewise, it enhances critical thinking how
activities are done according to rules, regulations and strategies.

Objectives of Physical Education includes aslo:

1. Knowledge it enhances critical thinking how activities are done according to

rules, regulations and strategies.

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2. Physical fitness — improves and maintains the workload Of the individual
without staggering and undue fatigue after which have time or energy to meet
some more emergencies in life.
3. Social to understand oneself; to get along with others for effective living.
4. Motor skills it is the learning of the fundamental skills necessary for
participation in sports and games.
5. Aesthetic— relating or responsive to or appreciative of what is pleasurable
to the senses.
6. Nationalism preservation of cultural heritage through revival of indigenous
games, dances and sports.
7. Conservation of natural environment such as protection of forest and aquatic
resources.

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

The foregoing development goals must itself offer direction to the teaching
of physical education. How will Physical Education lend significant to these
goals? What can the Physical Education teacher do 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.

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Purposes of Physical Education
The Physical Education specialists in our country have identified the
following purposes of Physical Education:
1. To develop optimum physical fitness and health of the individual so
that he is capable of living the "good life" and contributing 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; and
b. proper emphasis on problem-solving skills such that an
individual can identify a problem correctly and master the skills
necessary or useful 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 through; a.
an adequate system of values by equipping the individual to be able
to make moral choices or decisions needed in daily living; and b.
offering group participation in such experiences as intramural,
extramural, play days or sports fests;
4. To develop creativity and innovativeness inspired by an abiding faith
in God and love of country and fellowmen; and
5. To install a love of and pride for their preservation, and develop an
understanding of the culture of other for a feeling of international
brotherhood and unity.

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Learning Activities:

Group Discussion, Group Presentation, Brainstorming on followings.

1. Purposes of Physical Education.

2. Listing of activities that will develop the aspects of Physical Education.

Evaluation: (Individual Output)

Answer comprehensively the following questions.

1. What is the importance of fitness to everyday living?

2. What are the purposes of Physical Education in our country?
3. Discuss the purposes of PE in relation to one's everyday activities.