Quality Health and Physical Education: Facilitating a Healthy Mind in a Healthy Body.
In the past, the Greek ideal; “Mens sano incorpore sano”, stressed the importance of having a healthy mind within a healthy body. In the current high-tech sedentary society, this is increasingly an outcome to which we all should aspire. This communique highlights the importance of a comprehensive educationally-based and strategical approach to wellness that values the role of the health and physical educator.
An effective reduction strategy in those living a sedentary lifestyle is seen to lie within the domain of school and community programs that promote regular Physical Activity (PA) and associated health understandings. Importantly, there is a large body of evidence indicating that Physical Education (PE) classes are a significant setting for endorsing the benefits of a physically active lifestyle and for promoting engagement in PA both within and outside school. Furthermore, PE and the activity generated facilitate disease prevention, decreased morbidity and premature mortality, as well as improved mental health. Despite the health-enhancing effects of regular physical activity, adolescent participation rates typically fall below recommended guidelines.
Accordingly, alongside reasons for physical health, HPE outcomes should facilitate the primary development of physical skills, lifestyle physical activity patterns and health literacy. Positive HPE experiences should also access opportunities for students to develop skills related to management of self and others, interpersonal skills, knowledge and understanding, leadership, tolerance, self-esteem and selfefficacy. Somewhat unique in the school menu of subjects, quality HPE provides opportunities to develop cognitively, spiritually, socially, emotionally, and physically – all in a one-stopshop!
Sport Exerc Med Open J. 2015; 1(3): 111-113. doi: 10.17140/SEMOJ-1-117
