Republic of the Philippines

CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE

F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte – 4600, Philippines

In recent years there has been considerable discussion, whether Physical Education is the best name

NATURE
OF
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
for this field of endeavor. Other names that have been given were the following:
1. Movement Education
2. Sports Education

3. Motor Education
4. Physical Fitness
5. Human Kinetics
The term is widely used at present time is “Physical Education and Sports”, which incorporates the
traditional emphasis on Physical Education and at the same time stresses the area of sports.

NATURE OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION Page 1 of 8

Republic of the Philippines
CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE
F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte – 4600, Philippines

To define physical education, we need to say that it is an educational process that aims to improve
human development and performance through physical activity. It tends to take place at school through
formal lessons, but it also includes informal activity such as play.
Physical education is a process of learning, the context being mainly physical. The purpose of this
process is to develop specific knowledge, skills, and understanding and to promote physical competence.
Different sporting activities can and do contribute to this learning process, and the learning process
enables participation in sports. The focus, however, is on the child and his or her development of physical
competence rather than the activity.

Physical education has a holistic view within a societal context that identifies the interdependence of
personal health with societal health and environmental health. On an individual level, physical education is
an agent for health and wellness that can promote personal responsibility and control for active lifestyles.
However, equally as important, physical education focuses students' attention on understanding the
problems of the social environment that may inhibit them and others from pursuing active lifestyles.

Physical education contributes to individual wellness through the innate 'experience of the moment'
and is reinforced on a daily basis through the knowledge, skills, and feelings of enhanced self-esteem and
wellness that develop over time. Physical education is an area in which physical activity is valued and
integrated into daily living. It is anchored in three fundamental axioms that lead to these guiding principles:

 Individual: It recognizes that people are active for all sorts of reasons - work, play, challenge and
achievement, health and personal development, contemplation and relaxation, creative and cultural
expression, and social interaction.
 Social: It focuses on the individual, but it also recognizes that social norms and values, available
resources, influential learners, and other factors affect our choices and opportunities for participation.
Our choices, in turn, affect these factors.

 Inclusive: It provides essential ways to express who we are as individuals or groups. It is a right of
all, regardless of ability, age, gender, race, ethnic background, religion, socio-economic status, or
educational achievement.

IMPORTANCE OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION

The importance of physical education and physical activity in our society is encouraged by a number
of guiding principles entrenched in active living such as:

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Republic of the Philippines
CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE
F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte – 4600, Philippines

1. Promotes a way of life in which physical activity is valued, enjoyed, and integrated into daily life.

2. Promotes the principle of individual choice by responding to learners' individual needs, interests, and
circumstances.

3. Provides a unique contribution to lifelong development of all learners, enhancing their physical,
cognitive, social, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

4. Facilitates learning processes, which encourage critical thinking, thereby affecting the learners'
personal wellness and the well-being of society.

5. Nurtures individual self-reflection and consciousness, which preserves human rights and the
development of supportive and sustainable environments.

HISTORY OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Physical Education: Its Origin
Do you ever wonder where some of the words we use in
physical education come from? They originate from combinations of
different Latin and Greek words. But mainly, The Greeks were the
epitome (a Greek word meaning, prototype or abridgment) of the
standards of physical training and culture of the standards of physical
training and culture.

LEGAL BASIS OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION

1. Article 1 of the International Charter of Physical Education and Sports, UNESCO Paris, 1978
and Recommendation 1, Disciplinary Regional Meeting of Experts on Physical Education,
UNESCO, Brisbane Australia, 1982. States that:
“The practice of Physical Education and Sports is a fundamental right for all.”
“And this right should not be treated as different in principle from the right to adequate food,
shelter, and medical care. “
2. Article XIV, section 19, 1986 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines.

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Republic of the Philippines
CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE
F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte – 4600, Philippines

“The State shall promote Physical Education and encourage sports programs, league competitions,
and amateur sports including training for international competition to foster self-discipline, teamwork, and
excellence for the development of a healthy and alert citizenry.”
“All educational institutions shall undertake regular sports activities throughout the country and in
cooperation with athletic club and other sectors”.
3. Article II Section 17 (Philippine Constitution 1987)
“The state shall give priority to Education, Science and Technology, Arts, Culture and Sports to foster
patriotism and nationalism”
4. Proclamation Order no. 406
“Declaring the period from 1990 to year 2001 as the “Decade of Physical Fitness and Sports”
5. Executive Order no. 63
“Creating the National Physical Fitness and Sports Development Council up to the Barangay level”
6. Executive Order no. 64
“Adopting the National Policy and program of “Sports for All”
7. D.E.C.S Order no. 84
“Physical Education and School Sports is a D.E.C.S priority program”
8. Republic Act 9155 – Basic Education Act of 2002
“The law asserts that the physical fitness and school sports remain part of the basic education program”
9. United Nation Declaration
“Declaring 2005 as the international year of sports and physical education. The United Nation cited the
importance of “Sports and Physical Education” as a means for Health, Education, Peace and
Development”.

DEFINITION AND OBJECTIVES

What is Physical Education?

Physical Education is an educational process which includes the acquisition and refinement or
motor skills, the development and maintenance of fitness for optimal health and wellbeing, the attainment
of knowledge and the growth of positive attitudes toward physical activity.

Physical education is an important segment of general education which aims to contribute to the
total development of the learner through participation selected vigorous activities.

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Republic of the Philippines
CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE
F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte – 4600, Philippines

It can also be viewed as a program of activities in a school curriculum that involves sports, games,
dance, gymnastics, and recreational activities. Great emphasis is placed on motor skill, fitness, health,
recreation and safety. It is the vital and integral part of general education designed to promote the optimum
development of the individual in the performance of properly selected physical activities.

Physical Education came from the Latin word: Physica- which means “Physics” and Education-
which means the training of the bodily organs and powers with a view to the promotion of heart and vigor.

Physical Education is an integral part of general education which aims to develop the individual physically,
mentally, socially and emotionally through big muscle activity and done at play level.

What are the objectives of Physical Education?

The primary aims of physical education vary historically, based on the needs of the time and place.
Often, many different types of physical education occur simultaneously, some intentionally and others not.
Most modern school system claim their intent is to equip students with knowledge, skill, capacities, and
values along with the enthusiasm to maintain healthy lifestyle into adulthood. Some schools also require
physical education as a way to promote weight loss in students. Activities included in the program are
designed to promote physical fitness to develop motor skills, to instill knowledge and understanding of
rules, concepts, and strategies, and to teach students to work as part of a team, or as individuals, in a wide
variety of competitive activities.
The following objectives of Physical Education are viewed and stated in terms of their contribution
to the outcomes of education and which justify the existence of physical education in the curriculum.
 Physical Development
Through carefully selected physical education activities, an individual who participates actively will
develop and maintain good health and high level of physical fitness. The acquisition of physical skills can
motivate and individual to participate further in physical activities; hence, healthy growth and development
of each learner will be enhanced.

 Social Development
Participation in Physical Education activities provides opportunities for the acquisition and practice
of desirable social traits necessary for adjustment to happy living and to the social life in general. Some
worthwhile traits are:
 Friendliness
 Cooperation
 Respect for the rights of others
 Good sportsmanship
 Good leadership and followership
 Honesty in group competition
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Republic of the Philippines
CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE
F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte – 4600, Philippines

 Emotional Development
The informal nature of physical education offers opportunities for development of expression and
emotional traits needed for emotional mastery like:
 Self confidence
 Self-control
 Self-reliance
 Courage
 Determination
 Personal Discipline

 Mental Development
Through participation in Physical Education activities the individual develops his mental capacities
as he learns the mechanical principles of underlying movement as the learner acquires knowledge and
understanding of rules and strategies of games and sports as well as dance instructions, as he discovers ways
of improving his movements in gymnastics and dance and the ability to analyze and give judgements.

INTRODUCTION TO INDIVIDUAL/DUAL SPORTS

Individual Sports
There are certain sports, such as golf, bowling, and tennis that, for the
most part, are considered individual sports, which are sports played
alone without teammates. Yes, there are exceptions, such as the Ryder
Cup in golf, in which two teams from either side of the Atlantic Ocean
compete, but often the competition is for an individual trophy. A sample
of the thousands of individual sports includes:
 Badminton
 Bowling
 Boxing
 Cycling
 Figure skating
 Golf
 Skiing
 Snowboarding
 Surfing
 Swimming
 Track and field
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Republic of the Philippines
CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE
F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte – 4600, Philippines

 Wrestling

Skills
There are thousands of individual sports, and the skill requirements for each vary greatly; however,
there are certain skills that apply to most individual athletes. Most have high levels of cardiovascular fitness
to allow for long hours of practice and play. Most have well-toned muscles and are flexible.
One major advantage of competing in an individual sport is that the athlete can progress at her own
pace to improve skills. The skills she needs are more mental than physical. She needs autonomy, self-
discipline, focused thinking, and passion. She must work on a specific skill over and over until it is
mastered. She is able to practice as early or late as she wants. She gets to take all the credit for winning, but
she is on her own and can blame no one but herself for any lackluster performances.

Critical Elements
Individual sports also allow athletes to aim for personal goals without worrying about hurting the
team. For example, in distance running, an athlete will commonly shoot for a personal best (known as a PB)
several times per year. In fact, individual athletes are often said to be competing against themselves. They do
have competitors to beat, but they also attempt to improve on their previous best performances as well.
There are two basic types of motivation. They are external motivation and intrinsic
motivation. External motivation comes from someone else or involves gaining a reward. Examples of
external motivation include a coach yelling at you to do pushups, winning a medal, or a parent telling you to
clean your room. Intrinsic motivation literally means that the desire comes from within. This is a trait that
many individual sport's athletes possess. Examples include deciding to run a personal best in a 5K race or
attempting to qualify for a big tournament. In individual sports, there are no teammates to please or to put
peer pressure upon you, as the pressure comes from yourself.

Principles
There are four basic principles that govern training for an individual sport:
 Overload - You must train harder than normal to force your body to improve.
 Progression - You must start slowly and build up to overload.
 Reversibility - If you stop training, you will lose some of your gains, but, if you start training again,
you can get back to your peak.
 Specificity - You must train the muscles specific to your sport.
PLAY- means to take part in a game or games
GAME- is a contest played for sports according to simple rules
SPORTS- means playing of games or participation in competitive competition involving physical exertion
and skills.

CLASSIFICATION OF SPORTS
1. Individual- in which participants compete as individuals. However, team competitions in individual
sports also occur, such as relay race. Ex: Athletics
2. Dual- it is played by two people striving against one another
NATURE OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION Page 7 of 8
Republic of the Philippines
CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE
F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte – 4600, Philippines

a. Combative- with body contact

Ex: karate, boxing, taekwondo, judo
b. Non-combative- without body contact
Ex: chess, billiards, table tennis, badminton, lawn tennis
3. Team/Group- consist of 2 or more individuals that works together to accomplish an ultimate goal.
Ex: basketball, volleyball, baseball, football

TYPES OF SPORTS
1. Competitive
2. Recreational
3. Traditional

References:
 Tulio, Doris D.P.E for College
 Today’s Physical Education by Dr. Carmen C. Andin
 Oyco, Virginia Physical Fitness for College Fitness

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