The Legacy of Physical Education: Influences on Adult Lifestyle

Abstract

It is now well-established that well-designed programs can induce short-term gains in aerobic fitness, muscular strength, and physical performance, although during the primary school years, gains may be somewhat less than in adults. Long-term effects have as yet had little investigation. Most studies have looked simply at the tracking of activity patterns and associated lifestyle variables, usually from mid or late adolescence into early adult life. Although statistically significant, such tracking has been relatively weak. Further, in the absence of an experimental intervention, such studies provide little information on the long-term health value of physical education. The potential for obtaining definitive information is suggested by a long-term (20+ year) follow-up of participants in the Trois Rivières study. This program was well-perceived by participants, and the data obtained on adults suggest it may have had some favorable long-term impact on activity patterns, physiological parameters, and smoking behavior.

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“…This indicates that PE has potential to influence long term health, which perhaps is the most important objective of quality PE (Shepard & Trudeau, 2000). Research also suggests that participation in PE and a physically active lifestyle in adolescence may contribute to adulthood leisure time physical activity level (Bjørneboe & Aadland, 2003;Shepard & Trudeau, 2000). This is supported by a longitudinal study on Finnish adolescents, indicating a positive association between physical activity level in adolescence and adult physical activity (Huotari, Nupponen, Mikkelsson, Laakso, & Kujala, 2011).…”

“…A review by Bailey (2006) suggests that PE may contribute to the development of fundamental movement skills, physical competence, social skills, social behaviours, self-esteem and pro-school attitudes in children. This indicates that PE has potential to influence long term health, which perhaps is the most important objective of quality PE (Shepard & Trudeau, 2000). Research also suggests that participation in PE and a physically active lifestyle in adolescence may contribute to adulthood leisure time physical activity level (Bjørneboe & Aadland, 2003;Shepard & Trudeau, 2000).…”

‘Every child (of every size) matters’ in physical education! Physical education's role in childhood obesity

“…Perhaps not surprisingly therefore, the role of schools and physical education in promoting health, producing a 'healthy nation' (Shephard & Trudeau, 2000;Cale & Harris, 2005;Johns, 2005;Stratton, Fairclough & Ridgers, 2008;Webb, Quennerstedt & Öhman, 2008) and in tackling obesity (Fox,Cooper & McKenna, 2004;Kirk, 2006;Barlow & the Expert Committee, 2007;Davidson, 2007;Zieff & Veri, 2009) has been increasingly recognized in recent years. Physical education specifically has been viewed as the most suitable vehicle for the promotion of healthy, active lifestyles among young people (e.g.…”

“…Physical education specifically has been viewed as the most suitable vehicle for the promotion of healthy, active lifestyles among young people (e.g. Cardon and Bourdeaudhuij, 2002;Shephard and Trudeau, 2000) and contributing to public health via promoting health-enhancing lifestyles and increasing physical activity is seen to be one, if not the most important objectives of the subject (e.g. Shephard and Trudeau;Green, 2002;Fox, Cooper & McKenna, 2004;Fairclough & Stratton, 2005).…”

Body composition and the level of fitness in 10 to 14-year-old girls in western Hungary: the impact of the new PE curriculum

“…Daily physical activity can be a useful method for the prevention of health problems and the promotion of fitness, but the society at a macro level and various educational sites at a micro level also have a meaningful role to play in the treatment of this nation-wide problem [14,15,16,41].…”