The Foundations of Physical Education

The Foundations of Physical Education

The purposes of physical education include many goals. However, in the main, its, goals center around its importance for physical development and health, as a socializing force, as a medium for the emotional development of the individual, and as an intellectual phenomenon in the mastery of knowledge about the human organism. The latter includes what and how to care for and maintain the organism to develop and maintain good health and efficiency.

The historical roots of physical education go back as far as the ancient Chinese (2500 B.C.), who had a well-developed system of exercise and physical training. In ancient Greece the Athenians were concerned with both physical and mental development and consequently they accorded gymnastics, sports, and rhythms an important educational role. During the period of Roman Empire, and later during the Middle Ages, physical education was primarily used as a form of military training.

In the present world of Space age and automation era, all human beings appear to be living a more and inactive life. They drive a car instead of walk, sit instead of stand and watch instead of participate. Such type of inactivity or sedentary life is detrimental to mental and physical health. Thus, there is great need for physical education as a part of balanced living.

The importance or benefits of physical education include the following aspect:

• Physical education is needed because due to advanced technology the lifestyle of people becomes sedentary and they become passive entertainers.

• Physical education is needed during elementary and secondary education for proper growth and development.

• It is beneficial during adulthood to maintain good health and fitness.

• Physical education is important to prevent and treat various ailments and diseases.

•  It is important as it provides us the knowledge of our bodies from musculoskeletal, physiological and biochemical point of view.

• It teaches us various physical activities such as skills for the games and sports of volleyball, tennis, swimming and so on.

• It also teaches us the value of ethical behavior in sporting situations.

• It teaches us the value of physical fitness and how become physically fit.

• It is important for aesthetic reasons as by participation in physical fitness programmes like gymnastics and dance, beauty and grace are cultivated in the movement.

• Physical education helps to prevent juvenile delinquency.

Thus, physical education helps to make an individual physically fit, mentally alert, emotionally balanced, socially well-adjusted, morally true and spiritually uplifted. Physical education helps to make an individual a good citizen who is able to make contribution in process of nation in one’s way.

ACTIVE VOCABULARY:

accord - предоставлять

ailment - болезнь, недуг

benefit - преимущество, польза

consequently - следовательно, в результате

detrimental - вредный, пагубный, неблагоприятный

develop - развивать

due to - по причине

efficiency - эффективность, действенность

fit - здоровый, в хорошей форме

goal - задача, цель

gymnastics - гимнастика

human being - человек

instead of - вместо

maintain - поддерживать, сохранять

medium - посредник, средство

musculoskeletal - мышечно-скелетный

participate - принимать участие

phenomenon - явление

primarily - в первую очередь, главным образом, прежде всего

purpose - цель

sedentary life -  малоподвижный образ жизни

swimming - плавание

1. Ответьте на вопросы.

1.     What goals does physical education include?

2.     Where did physical education first emerge?

3.     What can you say about physical education in ancient Greece?

4.     What was the purpose of physical education during the period of Roman Empire?

5.     Why is there a great need for physical education in the present time?

6.    For what purpose is physical education needed during elementary and secondary education?

7.     Why is physical education beneficial during adulthood?

8.     What physical activities does physical education teach us?

9.     What aspects does physical education teach us?

10.  In what way is physical education beneficial for an individual?

2. Дайте русский эквивалент для следующих слов и словосочетаний.

Purpose, detrimental, goal, due to, consequently, medium, musculoskeletal, instead of, to accord, primarily, fit, to participate.

3. Переведите следующие слова и их производные. Составьте предложения, используя данные слова.

1)    to develop, development

2)    efficiency, efficient

3)    to participate, participant, participation

4)    benefit, beneficial

5)    fit, fitness