Physical Education in Schools
Should it be allowed?
Exercise
Did you know over one third of America's population is overweight or obese? Seventeen percent of those are children. Studies show that those who are not very active growing up, tend to remain so when older. Similarly, if you are active as a kid, you will most likely be active when you are older (Nardo 14). Exercise is more than simply lifting weights. For kids, it can be playing outside and being physically active. It controls body fat, giving children leaner bodies. There are three main types of physical fitness: endurance, strength, and flexibility (Galvin). Endurance or stamina is the ability to withstand an activity for a long time. Strength is necessary for common actions like moving heavy objects. Flexibility is the ease in which you can bend and twist your body (Ward 6). Different activities will benefit different types of physical fitness but all types are equally important and are necessary to stay healthy. Children of all ages will benefit from sports or other forms of physical activity since it helps prevent several diseases, potentially increasing the child's life span.
Physical Education classes motivate kids to be active. It should be a part of a public school curriculum since it can benefit the kids' health by preventing several diseases. Also, Physical Education classes will improve the kids' social skills since it benefits their moral values. One's health and social skills are easily the two most vital things in life.
Concessions
Some may say, kids can get hurt when playing sports. Studies show, 21 percent of all serious brain injuries are related to sports or other types of physical activity ("Why is it Important?").
Many parents enroll their child in an organized sport, such as travel soccer or basketball. This is a great way to exercise and several parents are saying that their child no longer needs physical education classes in school since the kid exercises enough playing the sport (Galvin).
Educating the Student Body: Taking Physical Activity and Physical Education to School
Health
Physical activity has a drastic impact on one's health. If one is active, he/she is more likely to have a decreased risk of breast, colon, lung, and endometrial cancers. Also, physical activity will prevent heart stroke, heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoporosis (a disease in the bones), and type two diabetes (Ward 9). There are many different methods of physical fitness. Aerobic exercise is one method where the heart strengthens and beats faster and you breathe harder to deliver oxygen to your cells faster. Sports like basketball, running, swimming, soccer, and tennis are all forms of aerobic exercise (Galvin). Moderate-intensity activity is another method where one is casually working out. There is usually a slight but noticeable increase in breathing and heart rate.Studies show that kids who exercise sleep better. Vigorous-intensity activity is where one is exercising for a longer time and more intensely. There is rapid breathing and a drastic increase in heart rate (Frenk). It is important to have equal amounts of all methods of exercise in order to stay healthy.
Social Skills
Physical activity can also help one's social skills. By playing on a sports team, kids learn about teamwork, cooperation, goals, and meeting challenges ("Why is it Important?"). Teamwork is a very important value kids should learn. It is necessary kids work together as a team and listen to one another. Cooperation and teamwork are essential values that are expected as a kid and in the future. Kids also learn to set and work towards a goal. Coaches encourage the team members to set goals for themselves and try your best to reach it. There are several hardships in sports. Kids learn to meet and overcome these challenges in a mature fashion. Studies show that exercising regularly will reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Also, kids who exercise handle stress better (Frenk).
A Call to Action
Exercise is very beneficial to kids of all ages. If people are active when they are young, they will most likely be active and healthy when they are older (Nardo 14). It is important to have physical Education classes in school, since kids are encouraged to be active and play sports. It should be a part of a public school curriculum because of the countless health and moral benefits it has upon children. If being active helps the body, being sedentary will do the opposite (Frenk). Start encouraging your kids to go outside and play, rather than sitting on the couch watching television.
Work Cited
Frenk, Dean Julio. "The Benefits of Physical Activity." The Nutrition Source. Harvard, Web. 2015. 19 Feb. 2015.
Galvin, Mary. "Fitness and Your 6 to 12 year old." Kids Health. The Nemours Foundation, Web. 1 May 2011. 7 Feb. 2015.
Galvin, Mary. "Kids and Exercise." Kids Health. The Nemours Foundation, Web. 1 Feb. 2012. 7 Feb. 2015.
Nardo, Don. Exercise. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1992. Print.
Ward, Brian. Exercise and Fitness. London: Franklin Watts, 2014. Print.
"Why is it Important?" President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition. President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition, Web. 2010. 14 Feb. 2015.