Physical education in South African schools has declined, with the subject now grouped with life orientation taught by teachers without physical education expertise. This has contributed to poor physical health in South Africa, with 32% of children lacking physical education. Regular exercise provides mental and physical benefits like increased alertness, reduced obesity, and social skills. Schools have a responsibility to promote physical fitness through physical education to develop healthy habits in students.

1. Physical fitness in
schools and South
Africa
compiled by Martha Mabunda

2. Background of physical education in SA
• In 1996 Physical education ceased to be
standalone subject and was grouped
with Life orientation (LO)
• LO is taught by teachers with limited
knowledge about physical development.
• Recently schools are disinvesting in
Physical education

3. The link between our country’s state
of health and physical education
• Not exposing children to sports and
physical activity sets them up for
poor health and risk diseases
• Children who do not acquire
fundamental sports movement when
they are young lack confidence.

4. Why should
schools check
physical fitness?

5. Physical literacy
• Is the motivation , confidence,
physical competence , knowledge
and understanding to value
and take responsibility for
engagement in physical activities
for life.

6. HAPPY
HEALTHY
PARENTS
MAKE
HAPPY
HEALTHY
CHILDREN

7. Schools have a responsibility
to get learners excited and
interested in sports and
physical activity

8. Let’s look at some of the
reasons why schools
should pay more
attention to physical
fitness and promote
physical education

9. Physical fitness
Regular exercise increase alertness, general
well being and development
Increases mental and physical development
Reduces childhood obesity, drastically
Promotes teamwork and tolerance of other
cultures

10. …. Continuation
• Physical activity increases social stimulation and
leadership skills.
• Physical education focuses in all the five domains of
development ( Physical, psychomotor , social,
affective and cognitive)
• Increases overall good health

11. Currently, 32% of
children in South Africa
do not have Physical
Education provision in
their schools.

12. South Africa was recently
rated as UNHEALTHIEST
country out of 191
countries surveyed in
indigo Global Wellness
Index

13. GOOD NEWS !
We can change the
poor health state in
our country through
physical activity

14. Physical
fitness
Health
related
fitness
Skill related
fitness

15. Health related fitness
• CARDIOVASCULAR FITNESS
• MUSCULAR STRENGTH AND
ENDURANCE
• FLEXIBILITY
• BODY COMPOSITION

16. Skill related fitness
• AGILITY
• BALANCE
• POWER
• SPEED
• COORDINATION
• REACTION TIME

17. Cognitive benefits of exercise
• Boots thinking and memory
• improves mood
• Assist with coping with life challenges
• reduces anxiety and stress
• reduces depression

18. Types of exercise
• Aerobic exercise
• Stretching training
• Strength training
• Balance exercise

19. How to make exercise a lifetime
activity
• Pick activity that is enjoyable and uses most muscles
• Vary duration, intensity
• Music
• Walk the dog!
• Set goals—health, appearance

20. Promoting healthy lifestyle at home
• Parents should lead by example and demonstrate healthy
habits to their children.
• Parents should bring healthy meals back to the table.
• To make exercise fun parents should consider playing with
their kids.
• Food should not be used as a reward.

21. Promoting healthy lifestyle in the
community
• Engage in skill your school’s effort to encourage healthy
practices
• Learn more about the decisions local officials are making that
impact your environment.
• Give back healthy options to your community
• Seek out volunteer opportunities that engage children.

22. “TAKE CARE OF YOUR
BODY. IT IS THE ONLY
PLACE YOU HAVE TO
LIVE” -JIM Rohm

23. Let’s build a healthy South Africa
by encouraging our children on
the right path from an early age
to be physically active, and
continue to do so as they move
through life

24. References
• Berger, R. (2016) “The Importance of Exercise” [ PowerPoint presentation]. Available at: https://www.slideshare.net/sagarsub7/the-
importance-of-exercise-ppt
• Burhop, T . ( 2015) ‘Travis burhop explains the importance of exercise for the entire family’[ PowerPoint presentation]. Available at:
https://www.slideshare.net/travisburhop/travis-burhop-explains-the-importance-of-exercise-for-the-entire-family?qid=c962e34e-
b030-4afa-8fa7-2c0d51aa4973&v=&b=&from_search=22 ( Accessed 15 August 2020
• Delina, Cherry. (2019) ‘ Physical fitness’[PowerPoint presentation]. Available at: https://www.slideshare.net/melody_09/physical-
fitness-194753840?qid=4c0666cf-1f3e-48f4-a73e-062bf57dd12d&v=&b=&from_search=5 ( Accessed 15 August 2020)
• Indian, H. (2018) ‘what are the benefits of exercise?’ [PowerPoint presentation]. Available at:
https://www.slideshare.net/HealthWiseIndian/what-are-the-benefits-of-exercise?qid=d8c504a4-c1f2-4715-bce5-
aa6edde3a6df&v=&b=&from_search=8
• Palero, J. (2016) ‘Physical fitness’ [PowerPoint presentation]. Available at: https://www.slideshare.net/jmpalero/physical-education-
9-physical-fitness?qid=d5a7972d-253d-4b6a-ae9a-fe07e895554e&v=&b=&from_search=3