History of Physical Education

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer notes that from the time the first Olympiad was held in 776 BC, sports and physical education have become a part of health and fitness goals as well as a way of fostering community and political cooperation. Using the definition of physical education provided by R.L. McDaniel, this paper discusses physical education as "the means by which development of the total person is enhanced." The paper then provides a brief timeline and historical perspective of physical education.

From the Paper:

"In 1953, physical fitness levels in school aged children were compared between the US and Europe; with results demonstrating the US performed significantly poorer than their European counterparts. This comparison was believed to be the catalyst for Federal Government involvement, such that in 1953 President Eisenhower formed the first Council on Youth Fitness (renamed to the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports). In 1994 the Physical Bet fitness testing program was established and in 2000 the Physical Education for Progress Act was approved by congress, although President Bush imposed a moratorium on the Act the following year."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Corbin, C. P. (1993). The field of physical education - common goals, not common roles. The Journal of Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Retrieved on October 30, 2006 from http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1:13939177
• McDaniel, R. L. (2002). Would you hire Plato to teach physical education at your school? Physical Educator. Retrieved on October 30, 2006 from http://www.highbeam.com/doc/ 1G1:83139930
• Patterson, J. (2004). Why teach physical education history? The Journal of Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Retrieved on October 30, 2006 from http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1:122980917
• Williams, J. (2004). Sports and physical education timeline. Pitt Country Schools. Retrieved on October 30, 2006 from http://www.pittschools.org/aes/hist/history.html#

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