Maybe you don’t like having to change into the ugly gym uniforms. Maybe going sweaty to your next class makes the whole period seem frustrating. Maybe you just don’t like the activities—after all, being hit by a ball isn’t fun. For most people, Phys. Ed. class is not their favorite subject, and for many, it is low in the rankings; but P.E. class has its benefits that can help produce well-rounded students as much as English, physics, art, music, or math do.
Looking at it from the physical benefits first, kids are supposed to get sixty minutes of
physical activity every day, whether that is through a pick-up soccer game with friends, going for a bike ride, or playing tag, but most students don’t get that recommended amount of exercise (CDC, 2020). P.E. class can help students get some of those 60 minutes in addition to introducing them to ways they can stay active outside of school.
Physical Education class teaches students many different activities and ways they can get involved. Through participating in Physical Education class, students can find a sport or physical activity they are passionate about (Dorsey, 2019). Whether this leads to them joining
a sports team or just helps them find a hobby that will allow them to take care of themselves, knowing entertaining ways to stay in shape can lead to a healthier, happier life. It’s a long term benefit to the short amount of time spent in the school’s smelly gym.
Aside from the physical benefits, P.E. can help develop classroom skills. Throwing balls, using hockey sticks, and kicking goals all help develop fine motor skills, which can help in other parts of schooling from handwriting to art classes (Dorsey, 2019). Michele Dorsey goes on to point out that P.E. is a social environment (2019). In such a setting, students can make friends, meet new people, and learn to interact with individuals who are different than themselves. They can also learn how to communicate in a team setting, and whether it’s playing basketball on the courts or discussing legal briefs around a conference table, communicating to large groups and in a team is a crucial part of our society.
Phys. Ed. also gets kids out of the classroom. Especially in higher levels (middle and high school) when students no longer get a recess, P.E. class is a chance to get up, stretch muscles, and move around. Through this short break, students can gain better focus, problem solving skills, and retention of material (Nelson, 2020).
Maybe you still don’t like the fitness testing or dealing with the “gym class hero” type, but P.E. is a crucial part of any school system. So, next time you cringe at the ugly gray uniform before walking out to meet your teachers for a day of some sport you’ve never heard of, consider the benefits that P.E. class is offering you when you don’t even know it.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, April 21). CDC. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/physicalactivity/facts.htm.
Dorsey, M. (2019, January 29). 5 Hidden Benefits Of Physical Education. Magnus Health.
https://web.magnushealth.com/insights/5-hidden-benefits-of-physical-education.
Nelson, H. (2020, January 16). The benefits of PHYSICAL Education: How INNOVATIVE
teachers help STUDENTS THRIVE. AZUSA Pacific University.
https://www.apu.edu/articles/the-benefits-of-physical-education-how-innovative-
teachers-help-students-thrive/.