Lesson 1 - DEFINITION OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Physical education is an essential and integral part of the total education

program and makes significant contributions toward the achievement of desirable
education and health outcomes through the medium of physical activity. Quality physical
education programs promote the physical growth and development of children and
youth while contributing to their general health and well being. They are based on a
planned sequence of experiences in a wide variety of activities beginning with basic
movement skills and progressing toward more complex sport, dance, and other forms of
movement. Ultimately, they should help young people keep physically fit and enjoy
many forms of physical activity during the school years and continuing throughout life.
Physical Education is the process by which changes in the individual are
bought about through movements experiences. Physical Education aims not only for
physical development but is also concerned with education of the whole person through
physical activities.
Physical Education is an integral part of an educational program designed to
promote the optimum development of the individual physically, socially, emotionally,
mentally and spiritually through the total body movement in the performance of properly
selected physical activities.

Various Definitions of Physical Education are –

1. Barrow defined Physical Education as an education of and through human
movement where many of educational objectives are achieved by means of big muscle
activities involving sports, games, gymnastic, dance and exercise.
2. Webster’s Dictionary Physical education is a part of education which gives
instructions in the development and care of the body ranging from simple callisthenic
exercises to a course of study providing training in hygiene, gymnastics and the
performance and management of athletics games.
3. Jackson R. Sharmanpoints out that physical education is that part of
education which takes place through activities, which involves the motor mechanism of
human body which results in an individual’s formulating behaviour patterns.
 4. Charles A. Bucher defines physical education, an integral part of total
education process, is a field of endeavor which has as its aim the development of
physically, mentally, emotionally and socially fit citizens through the medium of physical
activities which have been selected with a view to realizing these outcomes.”
5. Central Advisory Board of Physical Education and Recreation defines
Physical education as an education through physical activities for the development of
total personality of the child to its fullness and perfection in body, mind and spirit.

Objectives of Physical Education

1. Physical Development
Through the carefully selected physical an individual who participates actively
will develop and maintain good health and a high level of physical fitness. The
acquisition of physical skills can motivate an individual to participate, further in
physical activities hence his growth and development will be enhanced.
2. Social Development
Participation in the physical education activities provides opportunities for the
development of desirable social traits needed for adjustment to the social life in
general. Some worth while traits are: friendliness, cooperation, respect for the
rights of others, good sportsmanship, honesty in group competition.
3. Emotional Development
The informal nature of physical education activity offers opportunities for self-
expression and emotional mastery. Examples of traits are: self confidence, self
control, self- reliance, courage, determination.
4. Mental Development
Through participation in physical education activities the individual develops
his mental capacities as he learns the mechanical principles underlying movement,
as he acquired knowledge and understanding of rules and strategies of games and
sports, and as he discovers ways of improving his movements in gymnastics and
dance.
 5. Spiritual Development
Relates to fundamental questions about the meaning and purpose of life
which affect everyone, and is not dependent on a religious affiliation. Spiritual
development is not about becoming, more spiritual, it is about realising or becoming
more and more aware of one's natural, innate spirituality.
Spirituality is the way in which a person perceives themselves in relation to
others, the earth and the universe. It is also a quest for meaning, a search to find
oneself, the elevation of self and the revelation of self.
Spiritual practices can help build the strength and alleviate the effects of
depression or other mental illness, which in turn affects physical well-being.

Functions of Physical Education

1. The objective of physical fitness – It refers to that state where an
individual has developed great endurance, speed, strength etc. Physical fitness is
essential to leading a happy, vigorous and abundant life.
2. The objective of social efficiency – It concerned with one’s proper
adaptation to group living. Physical education activities provides ample opportunities to
develop traits such as cooperation, respect to others, loyalty, sportsmanship, self
confidence etc. All these qualities help person to make him a good citizen.
3. The objective of culture – It aims at developing an understanding and
appreciation of one’s own local environment as well as the environment which is world-
wide in scope. By participation in various physical education activities such
as dance, sports and games, a person fully understand the history, culture,
tradition, religious practices etc and the aesthetic values associated with these
activities.
Lesson 2 - WELLNESS: NEW HEALTH GOAL

Over the years, people have always regarded health simply as the absence of
disease and indeed, in our present time today, that perception still prevails. However,
the word health typically refers to the overall condition of a person’s body or mind and
to the presence and absence of illness or injury. Likewise, it means the optimal well-
being that contributes to one’s quality of life. It is more than freedom from disease and
illness, though freedom from disease is important to good health. Optimal health
includes high-level mental, social, emotional, spiritual, and physical wellness within the
limits of one’s heredity and personal abilities.
Wellness on the other hand, is a relatively new concept that expands the idea
of health to include our ability to achieve optimal health. Beyond the simple presence or
absence of disease, it refers to optimal health and vitality—to living life to its fullest.
Moreover, it is the integration of many different components (social, emotional-mental,
spiritual, and physical) that expand one’s potential to live (quality of life) and work
effectively and to make a significant contribution to society. It also reflects how one feels
(a sense of well-being) about life, as well as one’s ability to function effectively.
Wellness, as opposed to illness (a negative), is sometimes described as the positive
component of good health.
Health and wellness, though they are related to each other, there are two
important differences between them:
• Health—or some aspects of it—can be determined or influenced by factors
beyond our control, such as genes, age, and family history. For example,
consider a man with a strong family history of prostate cancer. These factors
place this man at a higher-than-average risk for developing prostate cancer
himself.
• Wellness is largely determined by the decisions we make about how we live.
That same man can reduce his risk of cancer by eating sensibly, exercising, and
having regular screening tests. Even if he develops the disease, he may still rise
above its effects to live a rich, meaningful life. This means choosing not only to
care for himself physically, but also to maintain a positive outlook, keep up his
 relationships with others, challenge himself intellectually, and nurture other
aspects of his life.
Enhanced wellness, therefore, involves making conscious decisions to control
risk factors or conditions that increases one’s chances of disease or injury. Age and
family history are risk factors we cannot control. Behaviors such as choosing not to
smoke, exercising, and eating a healthy diet are well within our control.

The Dimensions of Wellness

The dimensions of wellness comprise of physical, emotional, intellectual,
interpersonal, spiritual, environmental and financial. Each dimension of wellness affects
the others. Further, the process of achieving wellness is constant and dynamic involving
change and growth. Ignoring any dimension of wellness can have harmful effects on our
life.
• Physical Wellness. It includes not just our bodies overall condition and the
absence of disease, but also our fitness level and ability to care of ourselves. The
higher our fitness level, the higher our level of physical wellness will be. Similarly,
as we become more able to care for our own physical needs, we ensure greater
physical wellness. To achieve optimum physical wellness, we need to make
choices that help us avoid illnesses and injuries. The decisions we make now—
and the habits we develop over our lifetime—will largely determine the length and
quality of our lives.
• Emotional Wellness. Emotional wellness, also referred to as emotional health or
emotional well-being, is defined as a person’s ability to effectively manage their
emotions and navigate the varied experiences encountered in life. It
encompasses an awareness, understanding, and acceptance of one’s feelings,
along with the capacity to cope with challenges and changes. Emotional wellness
plays a crucial role in various aspects of life including relationships, work
performance, and overall mental health. A person with strong emotional wellness
can maintain healthy relationships by managing their own emotions and
responding appropriately to the emotions of others. This ability fosters better
 communication and conflict resolution skills, which are vital for both personal and
professional interactions.
• Intellectual Wellness. Those who enjoy intellectual wellness constantly
challenge their minds. An active mind is essential to wellness because it detects
problems, finds solutions, and directs behavior. People who enjoy intellectual
wellness never stop learning; they continue trying to learn new things throughout
their lifetime. They seek out and relish new experiences and challenges.
• Interpersonal or Social Wellness. Our interpersonal (or social) wellness is
defined by our ability to develop and maintain satisfying and supportive
relationships. Such relationships are essential to physical and emotional health.
Social wellness requires participating in and contributing to our community and to
society.
• Spiritual Wellness. To enjoy spiritual wellness is to possess a set of guiding
beliefs, principles, or values that give meaning and purpose to our life, especially
in difficult times. The spiritually well person focuses on the positive aspects of life
and finds spirituality to be an antidote for negative feelings such as doubt, anger,
and negativity. Organized religions help many people develop spiritual health.
Religion, however, is not the only source or form of spiritual wellness. Many
people find meaning and purpose in their lives on their own—through nature, art,
meditation, or good works—or with their loved ones.
• Environmental Wellness. Environmental wellness refers to the state of being in
good health by occupying pleasant and stimulating environments that support
well-being. This concept encompasses both the microenvironment, which
includes personal spaces such as homes and workplaces, and the macro-
environment, which involves broader community and planetary considerations. It
emphasizes the importance of clean air, water, food, and safe surroundings. To
improve our environmental wellness, we can learn about and protect ourselves
against hazards in our surroundings and work to make our world a cleaner and
safer place.
• Financial Wellness. Financial wellness refers to our ability to live within our
means and manage our money in a way that gives us peace of mind. It includes
 balancing your income and expenses, staying out of debt, saving for the future,
and understanding our emotions about money.
• Occupational Wellness. Occupational wellness is a crucial aspect of overall
well-being that focuses on achieving a balance between work and leisure,
promoting health, personal satisfaction, and financial stability. It encompasses
the fulfillment one derives from their professional life and how effectively they
manage their work-life balance.