Physical Education is not adequately provided for the youth of our nation. In a study conducted in 1998 the average amount of Physical Education provided by elementary schools was 1 hour a week ( Webb, 1999, p. 99). This amount of time is usually divided into two thirty-minute sessions. 2.5 hours a week is the ideal time that should be spent on physical education. The low amount of time spent on physical education shows how important many school boards view physical education. It seems that physical education is one of the subject areas that takes the most budget cuts. This view of physical education reflects on our youth and their health.
Youths of today have become more and more non-active, and as a result they have become less healthy and over weight. It is recommended that a person should do some type of physical activity 20 min. a day (Voltmer, 1996, p. 190). This activity could include jogging, walking, or playing a sport. Any activity that is continuous and promotes vigorous activity is recommended. .
Historical Aspects of Physical Education .
Physical education in the past is much like it is in the present. It consisted of activities and games that promote physical activity. These activities still include various sports activities, fitness components, and motor skill assessments to measure student progress. Since the early 1980's, a number of reports, publications, and legislative initiatives have been directed at improving the quality of education for American youth (Cottrell, 1999, p. 250). Within these education goals, the health of America's youth is stated as a priority. These findings have pushed the importance of physical education classes to improve the quality of life among America's youths. This attitude is not reinforced in the schools today. Physical education in the school is thought of as an important subject area, but it is expendable in most school districts.