Physical inactivity is a key determinant of health across the lifespan. A lack of activity increases the risk of heart disease, colon and breast cancer, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, osteoporosis, anxiety and depression and others diseases. Emerging literature has suggested that in terms of mortality, the global population health burden of physical inactivity approaches that of cigarette smoking. The prevalence and substantial disease risk associated with physical inactivity has been described as a pandemic. The prevalence, health impact, and evidence of changeability all have resulted in calls for action to increase physical activity across the lifespan. In response to the need to find ways to make physical activity a health priority for youth, the Institute of Medicine's Committee on Physical Activity and Physical Education in the School Environment was formed. Its purpose was to review the current status of physical activity and physical education in the school environment, including before, during, and after school, and examine the influences of physical activity and physical education on the short and long term physical, cognitive and brain, and psychosocial health and development of children and adolescents. Educating the Student Body makes recommendations about approaches for strengthening and improving programs and policies for physical activity and physical education in the school environment. This report lays out a set of guiding principles to guide its work on these tasks. These included: recognizing the benefits of instilling life-long physical activity habits in children; the value of using systems thinking in improving physical activity and physical education in the school environment; the recognition of current disparities in opportunities and the need to achieve equity in physical activity and physical education; the importance of considering all types of school environments; the need to take into consideration the diversity of students as recommendations are developed. This report will be of interest to local and national policymakers, school officials, teachers, and the education community, researchers, professional organizations, and parents interested in physical activity, physical education, and health for school-aged children and adolescents.

Designed for all trainee and newly qualified teachers, teacher trainers and mentors, this volume provides a contemporary handbook for the teaching of physical education, covering Key Stages 2, 3 and 4 in line with current DfEE and TTA guidelines.

The definitive source for the groundbreaking ideas of the "Spectrum of Teaching Styles" introduced by Mosston and Ashworth and developed during 35 years in the field. This book offers teachers a foundation for understanding the decision-making structures that exist in all teaching/learning environments and for recognizing the variables that increase effectiveness while teaching physical education. In this thoroughly revised and streamlined edition, all chapters have been updated to include hundreds of real-world examples, concise charts, practical forms, and concrete suggestions for "deliberate teaching" so that teachers can understand their classrooms' flow of events, analyze decision structures, implement adjustments that are appropriate for particular classroom situations, and deliberately combine styles to achieve effective variations. As in prior editions, individual chapters describe the anatomy of the decision structure as it relates to teachers and learners, the objectives (O-T-L-O) of each style, and the application of each style to various activities and educational goals. For physical education teachers.