Thursday, September 11, 2014

Importance of Maintaining Health as Physical Educators


school_children_in_physical_education_class_42-16778472.jpg“Leaders in physical education agree as a result of the nature of the physical educator leadership position, the physical education teacher naturally become models for their students” (Dean, Adams, & Comeau 2005). According to Gold (2010), teachers and coaches were “the” most frequently cited non-family-member as adult role models, and that physical education teachers who model physically active lifestyles appeared to have effects on youth similar to those of their parents. It is important as coaches and physical educators to portray the characteristics of a healthy individual.

Studies suggest that an instructor that is perceived as physically fit is more respected, has more knowledge, and “is” more likely to follow exercise and dietary suggestions.  Maintaining health by meeting the standards will aid in getting hired as a professional, job attainment, and create positive attitudes towards the student’s learning environment. Authorities in the field of physical education have stressed the importance of modeling an active lifestyle and physical fitness for professionals in all fields related to physical activity (Gold 2012). The National Association for Sport and Physical Education recommends that physical education teachers should engage in regular physical activity at a level sufficient to promote health-related physical fitness.

If physical educators are going to proclaim that physical education can help reduce the obesity epidemic, then physical educators need to take seriously their duty to be a role model for fitness and, therefore, be physically fit themselves (Bell, 2008). It is vital to maintain a healthy appearance, active lifestyle, and healthy habits as physical educators because they send a powerful message to their students when they do not portray what they are teaching.

1 Bryant, L., & Curtner-Smoth, M. (2008). Impact of a Physical Education Teacher's Disability on Elementary Pupil's Perceptions of Effectiveness and Learning. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 25, 118-131.

2 Gold, R. (2012). The Qualities of Physical Education Teachers Based Upon Students' Perceptions of Physical Appearance. 39(2), 92-114.

5 comments:

  1. This is a good point. Kids should respect their coach more if he practices what he preaches to the kids. It is confusing for a kid to be told to be active and healthy when his teacher himself is not healthy himself. Kids need role models to really mean what they say and by practicing what you preach, they will more willingly listen.

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  2. If you are going to talk the talk, you should walk the walk. Coaches are supposed to be role models and in some cases they are looked at as a parent figure in kids lives. It will also help gain trust from the players if they really believe what the coach is saying and doing.

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  3. I agree, coaches should be role models. Someone that kids can look to and see what should be done and see that you are practicing what you preach.

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  4. If a coach is not in shape how are the kids supposed to be motivated to be healthy when their role model isn't.

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  5. It can be designed as a program that measures the same standards or processes over time, or studies can be developed to determine exactly what behaviors or processes are being performed. moes diabetes

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