Laying the foundation - Trends - survey on improvement of school physical education programs

Maybe physical education classes in school weren't so bad after all. A recent national survey found that 72 percent of young adults, ages 18 to 34, support the idea of providing federal money to expand and improve physical education (P.E.) classes in public schools. Forty-eight percent of the people surveyed say their P.E. experience was positive, far outnumbering the 9 percent who claim it was negative, while 41 percent say physical education was a neutral experience.

The survey was sponsored by Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA) in light of a bill that would provide up to $400 million over a five year period, to support physical education programs in primary and secondary schools. The bill, known as the Physical Education for Progress (PEP) Act, was introduced by Senator Ted Stevens (R. Alaska) and is gaining support from fitness, sports and health communities.

"The country should be concerned about the epidemic of inactivity and obesity among our children," says Jim Baugh, president of Wilson Sporting Goods and a member of the SGMA board of trustees. Baugh is leading a campaign to support the legislation and affirms, "A key step to turning the tide will be to restore and improve physical education programs." The survey showed a clear link between positive experiences in physical education classes and the amount of physical activity later in life. Among those who are most active as adults, 60 percent say the classes encouraged them to be active. Of those sedentary today, only 10 percent say their classes encouraged them to be active. To find out how you can get involved in supporting the PEP Act, visit the SGMA Web site, www.sportlink.com or www.weneedpe.com.

Remembering Phys-Ed

Americans, ages 18 to 34, see more positive than negatives from their
own experiences in gym class.

Phys-ed Classes ...       TOTAL   Males   Females   Level of   Very
                                                    Activity   Active
                                                       Now

Improved my self-esteem    38%     42%      34%        20%      53%

Embarrassed me             21%     11%      30%        30%      13%

Improved my physical
  condition                53%     58%      47%        36%      65%

Were a waste of time       16%     15%      16%        20%      12%

Encouraged me to be
  active later in life     33%     39%      28%        10%      60%

Discouraged me from
  future activity          11%      9%      12%        14%       5%

Were conducted by good
  teachers                 51%     54%      49%        43%      57%

Were poorly conducted      12%      12%    13%         15%      13%

Inactive: No participation in sports or fitness in the past year.

Very Active: Participated in 250 or more times in past year in sports
or fitness activities.

Source: SGMA/American Sports Data, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2002 Aerobics and Fitness Association of America
COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group