Compared to previous generations, high school students nowadays are heavier, slower, less intellectual, and less motivated. As is well known, teenagers frequently prefer watching television to engaging in physical activity. Teens think they don’t have enough free time, opportunities, or freedom to engage in physical activity. In my opinion, high schools are the best place to start when addressing this problem because there, pupils can get the necessary amount of exercise and teacher assistance. Our society only requires physical education for one year. If things were the other way around, fewer children would be lacking in physical activity, and our teen population would be more active. Thus, I believe every high school student should be forced to take a Physical Education class since it encourages healthy living and gives them a more well-rounded education regarding their physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Obesity is a major concern in our expanding society, and making physical education lessons required in schools will help youngsters learn better ways to live healthy lives now and in the future (Stevens et al., 2018). Therefore, this paper will describe the reason why physical education should be mandatory.
According to the American Heart Organization report, there are almost 30 percent obesity rate among children in the United States. This is a threat and therefore means appropriate strategies need to be implemented to reduce this rate. Also, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevent (CDC), children aged 6 to 17 should engage in one hour or more of vigorous to moderate physical activity each day. Less than 25% of children adhere to the rules, which is a heartbreaking truth. A lot of kids are quite sedentary and don’t undertake any extracurricular activities (Pete Charrette, 2023). What would occur if our pupils were no longer able to receive top-notch physical education? Perhaps more than any other topic, taking part in a high-quality P.E. program can help kids in a variety of ways. Physical education is vital to our well-being, physical health, and mental development. Regrettably, not everyone can always understand it. The truth is that as educators, we must be the staunchest supporters of both our pupils and those of others. All community members must be made aware of and encouraged to benefit from the special advantages of physical education. The following are the main reasons why physical education should be mandatory to all.
First, physical education encourages physical education for life. For us to have healthy lives, we need to move and exercise often. The best environment for developing healthy habits and learning about one’s own fitness level and range of motion is a physical education class. Regular physical education is a crucial part of a full academic program (Granero-Gallegos et al., 2017). It promotes children’s participation in physical activity and helps them acquire the skills and self-assurance they will need to remain active throughout their life, which is healthy for them both physically and psychologically.
The other key reason as to why physical examination should be required to all is because it helps in preventing sickness and diseases. Frequent exercise may not only help you stay healthy physically, but it may also prevent illness and disease. Our immune systems are boosted by physical activity, which lowers our risk of illness. It also helps with stress management, mental health enhancement, weight control, and general energy levels. Also, because physical education classes are a terrific method to get people moving, they can have a significant impact on our students’ health (Pete Charrette, 2023). According to the World Health Organization, obesity has become one of the greatest challenges not only in the United States, but also worldwide. According to a CDC report, almost 20% of the total population in the United States are obese. Therefore, advocating and subjecting people to physical exercise will play a vital role in reducing obesity issues in the U.S.
The other key factor why physical education is vital is because it increases motor skill development and personal fitness. For children and teenagers to consciously develop both their health and skill-related components of fitness, physical education is a preferred venue. Kids who engage in regular physical activity can benefit greatly from their P.E. classes. Repetition, practice, and inventive movement scenarios are used to achieve this. Students might gain a better understanding of their bodies and how to use them in a variety of contexts. Students have a wide range of opportunities to participate in team and individual sports, dance, and gymnastics as part of the P.E. curriculum. A talent learned early in childhood may be transferred to other, related skills or hobbies and used for the rest of one’s life, resulting in greater health as an adult.
The fourth reason why people should be subjected to physical education regardless of their age is because it provides an opportunity for personal goal setting. One of P.E.’s best qualities is the chance it gives kids to set personal objectives and practice self-control. This can involve raising their level of fitness, discovering a new sport, or honing a certain skill set. Children who have goals for themselves in physical education feel more purposeful and motivated, which can translate to other aspects of their lives. Creating goals enables kids to keep track of their development and gauge their progress. This can be a wonderful source of pride and fulfillment. Instructors can assist students in setting their own goals, which is a great way to inspire them to accomplish their objectives.
Providing an outlet for creativity and self-expression is the other key reason why physical education is important to all, thus making it mandatory. People have the chance to express themselves differently during physical education than they do in the classroom. Without having to worry about grades or competition, they are free to relax, have fun, and express their creativity. For children who may not be as intellectually oriented as their friends, physical education is a terrific outlet. It gives individuals an opportunity to express their personalities while yet feeling like a member of the class. For kids who are withdrawn or timid, physical education also offers an outlet. They can engage with other kids without feeling threatened, which is a terrific way for them to come out of their shell. For children, it might be a wonderful chance to have some fun, explore their gifts, and simply be themselves.
Since it makes pupils feel generally healthy, physical activity has numerous good benefits on self-image and self-confidence. Both the teacher and the students believe that if they exercise more, the pupils will feel more self-assured. Students can feel pleased and relaxed as a result of physical activity, which also creates endorphins that reduce stress and pain and help to build brain cells. The belief among educators and students is that if they exercise more, they won’t have as much discomfort in old age (Dilshodovich, 2021). Students can feel better about life and themselves after a solid physical workout. Teachers and students believe that if pupils can exercise more, they are more likely than not to have higher levels of confidence. Hence, physical education can aid students in boosting their self-esteem, which would then enable them to have good mental health, increasing their chances of achieving a good performance.
The other key reason why physical exercise is important to all ages is because it reduces stress and anxiety. For young people, physical education can be the ideal outlet for releasing tension and stress. The rest of the day is much more fun when children are given the opportunity to be physically active and move around while they are in school. Physical education may be crucial in reducing cortisol levels, which are connected to stress and are lowered by exercise, suggests current research. Positivity and emotional stability may be enhanced by exercise. Frequent physical activity might also help to ward off anxiety problems. In the end, these stress-relieving advantages help kids and teenagers perform better in school.
Also, physical education strengthen relationship with others. In other words, it ensures a strong bond between people. It’s not just about improving one’s physical and motor skills in physical education. Additionally, it focuses on helping people learn how to work together and grow as leaders. In order to fulfill prescribed tasks or objectives, students are usually required to collaborate with one another throughout their Physical courses (Tojimamatov & Egamberdiyev, 2022). They are able to improve their relationships with their classmates as a result. These connections can, in some instances, be lifelong. Students can learn better conflict resolution techniques and communication skills through physical education. Strong, wholesome relationships with other people can be developed as a result of all of these aspects.
Lastly, physical education boost academic learning. Several studies have shown a strong link between exercise and academic achievement. P.E. can improve focus, attention, and memory while reducing stress and weariness. The sum of all these factors might provide better test and grade outcomes. Physical exercise can aid in increasing blood flow and oxygen to the brain, which can enhance cognitive function (Tojimamatov & Egamberdiyev, 2022). The executive functioning abilities of kids, such as multitasking, planning, and organization, can be enhanced by physical education. Enhancing energy and mood are two more ways that physical activity improves academic achievement. Endorphin production is increased by exercise, which may help kids feel happier and more energized. It may be simpler to concentrate and study in the classroom as a result.
In conclusion, physical education is crucial to a student’s total education. It gives pupils the chance to increase their physical fitness and motor abilities while also honing their interpersonal communication and teamwork skills. By increased energy, focus, and concentration, physical activity can help improve students’ academic achievement. With all of these advantages, physical education is a crucial component of learning for kids of all ages. All schools have to be compelled to offer physical education because it is crucial to a well-rounded education. Hence, let’s do our share to advance physical education in schools and maintain the mental and physical health of our pupils.
Reference
Dilshodovich, I. S. (2021). Ways To Increase the Effectiveness of Physical Education Classes in Secondary Schools. Texas Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, 2, 142-143.
Granero-Gallegos, A., Baena-Extremera, A., Pérez-Quero, F. J., Ortiz-Camacho, M. M., & Bracho-Amador, C. (2017). Analysis of motivational profiles of satisfaction and importance of physical education in high school adolescents. Journal of sports science & medicine, 11(4), 614.
Pete Charrette, (2023), We Need PE in Our Schools Today: 10 Powerful Reasons Why Physical Education is Important, https://www.capnpetespowerpe.com/single-post/why-we-need-physical-education-in-our-schools-today-10-powerful-reasons
Stevens, T. A., To, Y., Stevenson, S. J., & Lochbaum, M. R. (2018). The importance of physical activity and physical education in the prediction of academic achievement. Journal of Sport Behavior, 31(4).
Tojimamatov, J., & Egamberdiyev, O. (2022). THE IMPORTANCE OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION IN THE FORMATION OF PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH OF A PERSON. Eurasian Journal of Academic Research, 2(5), 470-473.
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