Handbook of Physical Education Research: Role of School Programs, Children’s Attitudes and Health Implications

An effective planning in Physical Education entails taking into account a set of psychological, sport training-related, and pedagogical principles developed in a particular educational setting. This is a complex task that teachers usually do without the necessary time to develop it carefully. Several problems associated with this process are explained in this book. The objectives of planning in physical education, independently of the context where it will be applied, have to be aligned to the respective national standards in each country. This book explores the world of physical education in schools. It includes discussions on several topics which include a historical overview of the relation between health and physical education; new institutional designs to achieve better results for children; the role of professionally guided physical education in primary school; effects of traditional games played in physical education classes with elementary school students; school-based physical activity interventions to prevent or reduce obesity; and the psychosocial dynamics of physical education for students with disabilities.