This presentation discusses the importance of physical education and activity for students and people of all ages. It provides statistics that show Americans and children are becoming less active and more overweight. Physical activity is important for building healthy bones, muscles, and brain development. It can help reduce risks for chronic diseases. The presentation recommends that children get at least 30-60 minutes of physical activity daily, while adolescents and adults should aim for daily activity and 20-30 minutes 3-5 times per week respectively. Quality daily physical education in schools can help increase activity levels.

1. This presentation is
authorized for distribution
and use by Baltimore County
Public Schools personnel and
programs.
Other uses and copying are
prohibited.

3. Why is
Physical Education
Important?
This presentation will
provide facts from research
to support the need for
Physical Activity.

4. • Americans become
increasingly less active
with each year of age.
•Inactivity among children has
now been linked to sedentary
living among adults.

5. • Evidence now
exists to show that
inactive children
and youth are
likely to become
inactive adults.

6. • Most chronic
illnesses, such as
heart diseases, are a
result of cumulative
unhealthy
lifestyles.
•What is done in
childhood and youth
affects health later in life.

7. STATUS OF
THE NATION
–
A NEED FOR
CHANGE
• The percentage of young people
who are overweight has more
than doubled in the past 30
years.
•Inactivity and poor diet
cause at least 300,000 deaths
a year in the U.S.
•Fewer than 1 in 4 children get
20 minutes of vigorous activity
every day of the week.
•About 1 in 4 children did not
play on any sports teams, either
at school or through community
programs.

8. STATUS OF THE NATION –
A NEED FOR CHANGE
• Nearly half of young people aged 12-21 are not
vigorously active on a regular basis.
• Physical activity declines dramatically with age
during adolescence.
• Female adolescents are much less physically
active than males.

9. STATUS OF THE NATION –
A NEED FOR CHANGE
• Enrollment in daily physical education classes
dropped from 42% in 1991 to 25% in 1995.
•Only 19% of all high school students are
physically active for 20 minutes or more in
physical education classes every day during the
school week.

10. STATUS OF THE NATION –
A NEED FOR CHANGE
• More than 60% of adults do not achieve the
recommended amount of regular physical
activity.
• In fact, 25% of all adults are not active at all.
• Inactivity increases with age.
• Inactivity is more common among women
than men.
• Inactivity is also more common among those
with lower income and less education.

11. What does Physical
Activity do for the body?
• Helps
Control
Weight

12. Physical Activity
I feel better
already!
BUILDS AND
MAINTAINS
Healthy Bones
Lean Muscles
Joints

13. Physical Activity
Reduces
Body fat percentage
Blood pressure in some
adolescents with hypertension
Feelings of anxiety
Feelings of depression
Moodiness

14. Physical Activity
May Prevent or
Delay

15. Physical Activity may also
reduce
Risk of dying prematurely.
Risk of dying from heart
disease.
Risk of developing diabetes.
 Risk of developing colon
cancer.

16. Research Indicates that
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
PROMOTES BRAIN
GROWTH &
DEVELOPMENT
WHICH LEADS TO
IMPROVED COGNITIVE
PERFORMANCE

17. Brain Development
Research Indicates that Physical Activity
• Improves ShortTerm Memory.
•Builds Heavier,
More Synaptic
Rich Brains.

18. Activity improves cognitive performance
by increasing the number of brain capillaries.
at
This happens with regular aerobic
gre g.
a
is a jo
exercise.
is or
Th y f
Regular exercise helps provide more
da
glucose and oxygen to the brain.
Regular exercise also helps remove
waste products like carbon dioxide.
Aerobic activity 3-4 days per week
optimizes brain performance!

19. Preschool through Elementary
To Increase Brain Growth &
Development
Focus on developing basic motor skills needed for
human movement.
Examples are:
 Walking
 Running
 Jumping
 Changing speed of movement
 Changing direction of movement
 Maintaining balance while the body is in motion

20. In order to promote brain growth and
development
Before the
age of 10
years…
• Motor skills and
pathways need to be
continually developed
and reinforced.
At about age 10,
the brain begins
prioritization.
 Only the most practiced
skills are kept and
preserved.
 Physical Activity will
reinforce and
strengthen connections
through sensory and
motor experiences.

21. After 10 years of age and
Through middle and High
School
People continue to develop
motor pathways in the
brain.
How
do
they
do
that?
 Require the learner to develop new motor
skills.
 Challenge the learner beyond the basic motor
skills they should already possess.
 Variety is the key!

22. NEW VIEW OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Greater health benefits can be achieved by
gradually increasing the amount of physical activity
in regard to these areas.
Frequency – how often physical
Time – how
activity is done (Measured by
long a person
number of days active per week)
engages in
physical
activity
Intensity – how hard a person
(Measured by
performs physical activity (Measured
the clock)
by heart rate)

23. Why is Physical Education
Important?
Brain research clearly suggests:
that sensory and motor experiences
are imperative to reinforcing and
strengthening brain connections.
Physical Education improves academic
performance.

24. A promising way to help people
include more physical activity in
their daily lives is…….
Quality,
Daily
Physical Education
 Well-designed programs in schools
to increase physical activity in
physical education classes have
been shown to be effective.

25. How much activity for
Elementary ages?
The National Association for Sport and Physical
Education (NASPE) offers these guidelines:
At least 30-60 minutes on all or most days of the week.
More than 60 minutes, up to several hours per day, is
encouraged.
There should be a balance of moderate to vigorous activity
with rest period variation.
Children should not have extended periods of inactivity.
Note: All activity should be developmentally
and age appropriate.

26. Children and youth will only learn skills
through continued participation in
physical activity.
Continued participation in physical
activity provides children with the skills
and confidence they need to participate
throughout their lifetime.

27. How much activity is needed
for adolescents?
Surgeon
General
suggests
 Daily physical activity is best
almost daily is OK.
Activity can be part of play,
games, sports, work,
transportation, recreation,
physical education, or planned
exercise.
The activity can be performed
in the context of the family,
school or community.

28. How much activity
is needed for adults?
• Perform 20-30 minutes of
aerobic activity 3-5 times
per week.
• Incorporate lifelong
wellness activities almost
daily.
• Follow appropriate active
lifestyle diet.

29. More Information can
be received from
American Alliance of Health, Physical
Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD),
1900 Association Dr., Reston, VA 22091
National Association for Sport and
Physical Education (NASPE),
1900 Association Dr., Reston, VA 22091

30. MORE INFORMATION
• Center for Disease
Control (CDC)
4770 Buford
Highway, NE
Atlanta, GA 30341
1-888-232-4674
• The President’s
Council on Physical
Fitness and Sports
Box SG
Suite 250
701 Pennsylvania
Ave., NW
Washington, DC
20004

31. Baltimore County
Public Schools
Vision
All students will be physically
educated, having acquired motor skills
to perform a variety of physical
activities, physical fitness knowledge,
and intrinsic motivation to pursue a
healthy and active lifestyle in an
increasingly changing society.

32. The sun may set today,
but when it rises tomorrow,
you can exercise!

33. You have been a great
audience. Thank you.
THE END