Physical Activity Education's Contributions to Public Health

http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07303084.2016.1142182

Physical activity educators have to continually justify their existence. Physical education runs the risk of being deemed “nice, but not necessary” within a formal curriculum. Physical education programs and courses are put on the defensive in order to avoid reductions in size and scope, if not complete elimination. One area that has seen progress is the association of cognitive benefits to physical activity participation. Physical activity is good for the brain and enhances learning, and it might amplify learning in other subjects such as mathematics and reading.  some have suggested that “a public image makeover may…be in order” with a greater emphasis placed on how physical activity education contributes to public health. Swimming as One Example of How Skill Acquisition Contributes to Public Health More than 3,500 people die annually in the United States from unintentional Drowning. If more people were taught basic water-safety skills and how to swim, at least some of these accidental deaths or near-deaths and the associated human suffering and financial costs could be prevented. What do you think?