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Nylisha Madkins

English IV Honors

Mr.Cullen

November 19, 2018

Why Physical Education Should Be Mandatory All Four Years of High School

Thesis: Physical education and activity should be mandatory all four years of high school

because physical activity improves test scores, mental health, and because physical activity

decreases the chances of developing a health condition

I. Mandatory physical education in all four years of high school improves your overall

health and allows youth to choose and appreciate more healthy lifestyles.

A. Students choose more healthy lifestyles

1. Healthy Eating (Adequate food and fluid should be consumed before,

during, and after exercise to help maintain blood glucose concentration

during exercise, maximize exercise performance, and improve recovery

time).

2. Nutrition (Knowing that what you put in your body) is as important as

(what you do with your body). Both are crucial to keeping your engine

performing at its best.Eat things with protein to help repair and grow your

muscles proteins and carbs.You burn a lot of carbohydrates when working

out your muscles can store carbohydrates and protein as energy and help
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in recovery.As for fluids,Drink water, of course.For optimal results,

combine a heart-healthy diet with regular aerobic exercise, which helps

keep blood flowing and the heart pumping.

B. Because students choose healthier and more physically active lifestyles,they are

benefited with a lesser chance of developing bad health conditions.

1. The US Department of Health and Human Services nationally

recommends children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 years should have 60

minutes or more of physical activity each day.Physical activity should

consist of aerobic,muscle-strengthening,and bone-strengthening

movements.

2. Regular physical activity boosts cardiorespiratory fitness, build strong

bones and muscles, control weight, reduce symptoms of anxiety and

depression, and reduce the risk of developing health conditions such as

heart disease,cancer.type 2 diabetes.high blood pressure/osteoporosis,and

Obesity.

C. Counterclaim-Students do not partake in after school sports or any other physical

activity due to a various of reasons.

1. Decline in sports.Physical activity levels are declining not only in wealthy

countries, such as the U.S., but also in low- and middle-income countries,

such as China.Physical activity increases people’s total energy

expenditure, which can help them stay in energy balance or even lose

weight, as long as they don’t eat more to compensate for the extra calories

they burn.
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2. As a result,students say that they are tired or not motivated.Other reasons

are due to no interest,no access,other interests,no

habits,overwhelming,poor diet,lack of results,or they have a physical

condition.

II. Some may argue that mandatory physical education should not be required each year of

high school because it is a waste of time,money, does not actually get you fit.

A. Time could be spent elsewhere.

1. Time could be put towards academic classes like

Math,English,Science,and Social Studies

2. These classes benefit the child in more growth and enrichment in their

studies

B. The money could be put towards something else more valuable

1. Money could be spent on healthier lunches.

2. Children would get the nutrients they needed .

C. Gym class does not actually get you “fit”.

1. The class is only 30 minutes long and you have it 2- 3 times a week.At

most,you’ll burn a few calories.

2. The common games being played in gym ex(kickball,frisbee,baseball)

does not require much movement.

III. Mandatory physical education all four years of high school improves students academic

performance and mental health.

A. Mental health is improved overall by increased physical activity.

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1. 1 out of 5 teens suffer from a mental health issue. Stress is one of the big

mental health illnesses that affect teens.Prolonged stress can lead to

depression and depression can lead to loss of sleep and so forth.All of

these things hinder youth from paying attention in class the following day.

2. Adolescence have time to move around more freely and wake their body

up by stretching .So 30-60 minutes of aerobic,or even muscle

strengthening for 3-5 times a week can help reduce stress.

B. Exercise can significantly improve children’s cognitive abilities and their

academic performance, as well as their health.

1. Students begin to think,learn,and judge more sharply.Growing bodies in

youth suggest students who are more active are better able to focus their

attention,are quicker to perform simple tasks,and have better working

memories and problem solving skills than less-active students.

2. They also perform better on standardized academic tests.A new study

from the Institute of Medicine, a unit of the National Academy of

Sciences, shows how short sighted this trend can be. It found that exercise

can significantly improve children’s cognitive abilities and their academic

performance, as well as their health”.

“Movement has been a cornerstone of physical education since the 1800s.” (Kohl and

Cook, 199). Physical education was first being introduced into the school system in 1820 when
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gymnastics, hygiene, and care of the human body found its way into the curriculum. But physical

education did not become a formal requirement until after the civil war, when many states put

the physical education requirement into law. by the next century, sports and gymnastics were

highly prominent in educational institutions. From then until the Great Depression, physical

education was a standard part of formal education. By 1950, over 400 United States colleges and

universities were offering the physical education major to teachers, after the Korean War proved

that Americans were not as physically fit as they should be, and a new surge of focus on the

physical fitness of the nation. This resulted in a more stringent level of standards within U.S.

schools. Such physical standards included throwing, jumping, a shuttle run, and pull-ups in order

to prepare youth for the military. In later years, physical fitness programs saw cutbacks during

times of recession, and in 1980 and 1990 many programs were dropped from educational

institutions. During the 20th century the economical and educational levels dropped and the

commitment to physical education declined. More subjects and electives began to take the place

of physical education classes. Since its inception, the academic curriculum has seen multiple

enhancements and changes to the physical education discipline. Many national and global events

have taken part in altering the course of physical education in America and bringing us to our

current structure. While physical education classes are often being the first to go during budget

cuts and curriculum reorganizations. The evolution of physical education has been a winding

road with constantly redeveloped guidelines. Modern physical education practices and teaches

youth to stay physically active while learning to live and choose a more healthy lifestyle.

Physical education is a staple of a comprehensive educational system, and fitness plays a

major part in the physical and mental health of all Americans. Today’s educational landscape has

allowed this important program to flourish as an integral part of the modern day educational
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school system. Lately this focus has been renewed. This topic is important to consider because

people in the U.S. are becoming more and more lazy. The United States was ranked last of the

healthiest countries compared to 10 other countries from around the world. In physical education

students learn to choose healthy lifestyles and decisions as well as experience a few of the many

ways to help stay healthy and active. Staying physically active from as young as 7 can

tremendously benefit your health in the long run. Physical education should be mandatory all

four years of high school because physical activity improves academic performance, benefits

mental health, and because physical activity gets you fit as well as decrease the chances of

developing a health condition.

Physical education should be mandatory all four years of high school because physical

activity helps to improve academic performance. High school aged students are often tested on

the knowledge and skills they have acquired in a study and do not always obtain a decent enough

grade to show that their knowledge on a subject is satisfactory. Since the 1980’s schools across

the United States have cut physical education classes and replaced them with more core and

academic classes. The Editorial Board at The New York Times looked at a new report from the

Institute of Medicine and concluded that:

Students who exercise have lower body fat, greater muscular strength, and better

cardiovascular and mental health. While admitting that the studies are limited, a panel of

experts assembled by the institute says that “a growing body of evidence” suggests

children who are more active are better able to focus their attention, are quicker to

perform simple tasks, and have better working memories and problem solving skills than

less-active children. They also perform better on standardized academic tests.

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The same report from the Institute of Medicine proved that the idea of providing more time for

sedentary instruction was a short-sided trend. The study also showed that the more healthy and

physically active one is more likely to be more academically motivated, alert, and successful.

One excellent way to end this trend of test score slump is by giving students more chances to

exercise. The main goal of p.e. has been to develop children’s cognitive capacity in the sense of

learning knowledge in academic disciplines.

Physical activity is not only known to improve students’ academic performance but is

also known to improve mental health. “Alexander Pope thought that physical stress or exercise

could relieve mental stress: "Strength of mind is exercise, not rest." Plato also agreed: "Exercise

would cure a guilty conscience."(“Exercising to Relax.”). High school students have substantial

amounts of stress due to curriculum, homework, families and peer pressures. Involvement in

sports, recreational activities or other forms of physical fitness offer a method of stress relief.

The mental benefits of aerobic exercise have a neurochemical basis. Exercise reduces levels of

the body's stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol. Aerobic exercise also stimulates the

production of endorphins, (chemicals in the brain that are the body's natural painkillers and mood

elevators) .(“Exercising to Relax.”). Behavioral factors also contribute to the emotional benefits

of exercise.

High school is also an age where students misinterpret the meaning of "overweight" and

eating disorders prevail. Physical education in high school provides a positive influence on a

student's personality, character and self-esteem. In addition, the team-building process enhances

communication skills, and the skills required to get along and cooperate with students of varying

ethnic backgrounds and personalities. The development of motor skills and the enhancement of

reflexes. Hand-eye coordination is improved, as well as good body movements, which helps in
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the development of healthy body posture. The ministry of education of Guyana also suggests

students to consider necessary physical activities regarding students with health issues, and those

students should proceed under the direction of a doctor. As your waistline shrinks and your

strength and stamina increase, your self-image will improve. You will earn a sense of mastery

and control, of pride and self-confidence.

“Regular physical activity in childhood and adolescence is important for promoting

lifelong health, wellbeing, and preventing various health conditions” (“Healthy Schools.”) , as

recommended by the Centers for Disease and Control Prevention. The U.S. Department of

Health and Human Services nationally suggests those aged 6-17 years should have 60 minutes or

more of physical activity each day in order to stay healthy.Regular physical activity boosts

cardiorespiratory fitness, build strong bones and muscles, control weight, reduce symptoms of

anxiety and depression, and reduce the risk of developing health conditions such as hearts

disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure/osteoporosis, and obesity. Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention says ,”Physical activity should consist of aerobic, muscle-

strengthening, and bone-strengthening movements.” (“Healthy Schools.”).

“The national recommendation for school is to have a comprehensive approach called

Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs, for addressing physical education and

physical activity in schools.”(“Healthy Schools.”). Fitness education is a new curricular approach

that emphasizes teaching students the science behind why they need to be physically active in

their lives. The curriculum is designed so that the children are engaged in physical activities that

demonstrate relevant scientific knowledge.Instructional Framework for Fitness Education in

Physical Education includes technique, knowledge, physical activity, and health related fitness.

These guidelines also encourage youth to participate in physical activities that are appropriate for
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their age, that are enjoyable, and that offer variety. Sports fitness allows for adolescence to learn

about physical movement and engage in physical activity.Physical inactivity can lead to

imbalance and increase your chances of becoming overweight/obese, cardiovascular disease,

cancer, low bone density, and type 2 diabetes.

However, some may argue that “physical education should not be required each year of

high school because it is a waste of time, money, and it does not actually get you fit.” (Metaxes,

Luke Richard.). Some people may say that time could be spent and put towards more academics.

They say that students will show growth and enrichment from longer class time in mathematics,

sciences, social studies, and english arts. On average ,the physical education class in the U.S. is

about 30 to 45 minutes ,so this would not be enough time to get you “fit” considering you only

went to a physical education class three times a week. At most, students could burn calories.

People against physical education also believed that some of the games that were being taught

and played did not always require much movement. For example, frisbee and kickball. People

agree that the extra money being used for physical education could be put towards better and

healthier lunches or new textbooks for students.

Parents as well as school officials worry about the dangers of physical education could

bring. Some of the dangers as described by Donna Ricketts is that there could be a lack of

supervision ,inadequate instruction, failure to inform risks, and unsafe facilities and damaged

equipment. If any of these hazards were to undergo itself the physical ed teacher could be put

under legal liability actions. The school could also however avoid all of these hazards if they

make sure that they hire someone who is responsible and dependable.

Over the past 20 years there has been a decline in sports in not only wealthy countries but

also in middle-low income countries like China. Most likely due to the rise in new technologies
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that occupy and entertain youth. Some students may not partake in after school sports or any

other physical activity due to a various of reasons. As a result of not exercising, students admit

that they are tired or not motivated. Other reasons are due to no interest,no access,other interests,

no habits, overwhelming, poor diet, lack of results, or they have a physical condition.

Physical education can help students to learn more about how to maintain a healthy

lifestyle.”Physical fitness is an important component to leading a healthy lifestyle.”(“Ministry of

Education,Guyana.”) ,says the Ministry of Education based in Guyana. Physical education

teaches students about healthy eating and nutrition. The old saying “You are what you eat” is

indeed something to live by .Nutrition is important to your body because they provides energy

needed to perform tasks,essential fats,proteins, minerals and vitamins to live ,grow, and function

properly.

Mandatory physical education is no doubt beneficial to the high school community.

Students are more energized and alert when having had exercise. They also feel better and sleep

better. Students should aim for at least 30 minutes a day of exercise in order to stay healthy and

fit. Simple activity such as walking or cycling instead of driving a car for transportation. And if

you have concerns or questions you could always follow up with your doctor or physiologist.
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Works Cited

“Healthy Schools.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention, 28 June 2017,

Metaxas, Luke Richard. “Gym Class: A Waste Of Time and Resources?” Penn State

Presidential Leadership Academy, 10 Nov. 2014,

sites.psu.edu/academy/2014/11/10/gym-class-a-waste-of-time-and-resources/.

https://www.nap.edu/author/HMD, et al. “Read ‘Educating the Student Body: Taking

Physical Activity and Physical Education to School’ at NAP.edu.” Edited by Harold W.

Kohl and Heather D. Cook, National Academies Press: OpenBook.

“Ministry of Education, Guyana.” Importance of Physical Education in High School, June

2016,08:20

“Physical Activity.” Obesity Prevention Source, 12 Apr. 2016,

Publishing, Harvard Health. “Exercising to Relax.” Harvard Health, Feb. 2011,

The Editorial Board. “Exercise and Academic Performance.” The New York Times, The

New York Times, 24 May 2013,

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