Introduction:
Physical Education is a course of learning through which the learners reach the aims of education by participating in various psychomotor activities. Since ancient times, man used to take part in different physical activities. You will notice that the people, engaged in physical activities, are physically and mentally stronger than the others.
Hence the holistic development of the child can be attained through the regular participation in plays, games and sports. In other words, the child has to take part regularly in sports, exercises, running, jumping, drilling, marching, etc. besides studies.
The main aim of Physical Education is to develop a child to be healthy, fit, strong and able bodies; to develop creative mentality, balanced personality; to be idealistic, sincere and to possess virtues based on ethics and other social values. In other words, Physical Education helps a human being to transform to a comprehensively beautiful, socially organized, healthy personality. In short, Physical Education is the first and foremost step towards holistic development of the child. It has ceased to be a co-curricular subject. It is now an integral part of the curriculum.
Definition of Physical Education :
Many educationists and philosophers have described Physical Education as an integral part of basic education. In their attempts to define Physical Education they have presented the following views:
According to Charles A. Bucher, “Physical Education is an integral part of total education which aims in 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.”
In the opinion of J. F. Williams, “Physical Education is the sum of man’s physical activities selected as to kind and conducted as to outcomes.”
According to J. E. Nixon and J. D. Cozen, “Physical Education is that phase of the whole process of education which is concerned with vigorous muscular activities and related responses, and with the modification in the individual resultant from these responses.”
J. R. Sermon points 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.”
❂❂ From the above definitions and discussions, we can therefore derive the meaning of Physical Education quite easily. Physical Education does not affect only the physical aspects of man; rather it has a holistic effect. Every person responds to situation holistically, so there is an interaction with the external as well as the internal environment. Again, it is also true that the primary and instant learning has a bearing on associated learning and concomitant learning. This intermediary and ultimate learning are both important as they enrich the learner.
Thus Physical Education is the course of learning through which the cognitive aspects of the learner are enriched through basic education and along with it his physical, mental, social, intellectual and emotional aspects which are developed through participation in some selective physical activities.
Meaning of Physical Education :
The dictionary meaning of the word ‘physical’ is ‘related to body’. Often the word is used to denote physical features or appearance. As for instance, it may be physical strength, physical development, physical fitness, physical health, physical appearance or physical endurance. When the word ‘education’ is added to the word ‘physical’, the term ‘physical education’ is derived.
Physical education is an integral part of a comprehensive education system which is introduced in school curriculum not merely to make the learners remain active; rather it helps the learners to develop their skills by actively participating in various physical educational programmes and thereby developing their physical, mental and social health.
Physical education is the physical, mental and social education of the human body. A man should be well aware of the healthy needs that the biological bases of life demands. He should realize the importance of vigorous physical activities in life. If he fails to do so, health, productivity and utility in life will be hampered. In a wider sense, physical instruction includes that systematic instructions or training which relate to physical activities or programme of activities necessary for development and maintenance of human body, development of physical powers, or cultivation of physical skills.
These activities enhance tolerance, physical strength, exhaustion, resistance and the power to overcome exhaustion. The coordination of nerves and muscles becomes a part of psychomotor activities. As a result, he may be able to perform superior physical activities. Following such experience of superior physical skills he learns the lesson of leading a democratic and community-based life and is able to understand and analyze new situations.
Conclusion:
According to the report of the Secondary Education Commission, Physical Education is an integral part of health programme. The physical activities should be planned in such a way that they facilitate the physical and mental development of the learners, inspire their recreational interest and skills, develop a sense of integration and also arouses in them a sense of respect towards others, which is the motif of sports.
Thus, Physical Education embraces a much wider scope of activities than just physical exercises and drills. It is related to all the physical activities that develop the body as well as the mind.
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