The Rationale for Physical Edcuation and Comprehensive Approaches to Schools Promoting Physical Activity

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Canada's Physical Activity Guide

Background Information

Sources/References

Canadian Association for School Health

Canadian Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance

Health Canada (Fitness & Active Living Program)

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This summary has links to selected documents that will help to advocate for physical education programs and for a comprehensive school-community approach to promoting physical activity.

The Canadian Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (CAHPERD) has prepared several useful documents for advocacy activities. These include:
 
bullet All You Need to Know About QDPE
 
bullet Making the Case for PE
 
bullet Keeping the Physical in Education
 
bullet A Series of Print Ads (PSAs)
 
bullet Canadian Coalition for QDPE (List of 22 supporting organizations)

There are also scientific, credible reviews of the research that demonstrate the effectiveness of interventions to promote physical activity. The Centers for Disease Control in the United States has summarized the research evidence on all types of interventions as well as on enhanced physical education classes in schools. The Centre for Active Living (1995) found that promotion of PE through programs such as the Canadian Active Living Challenge can have immediate benefits for children by improving their attitudes towards physical activity. This document is presently being reviewed and updated.

Despite this evidence, competing demands on schools have resulted in a deterioration of PE programs in several school systems. A recent study (Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute, 2001) has reported that almost one-half of Canadian schools do not have daily physical education classes for their students.

One of the key strategies that PE teachers and others can use in their local school and community is to gain the support of the school principal and parents. CAHPERD has published a summary intended for school principals. that you can use. As well, the Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute has published a score card for parents to use in evaluating their school's PE program.