Concepts of Physical Activity and Sport

Concepts of Physical Activity and Sport

Learning Objectives

Identify and explain:

Characteristics of physical recreation, sport, physical education, and school sport within the sporting development continuum. 

Understand:

The similarities and differences between these concepts.

What do you already know about physical recreation, sport, and physical education?

Concepts of Physical Activity & sport

There are varying reasons for participation in Physical Activity. 

Health & fitness being a large reason. 

Some activities have relaxed 

spectators, others a more serious 

attitude. 

Characteristics of Physical Recreation

Physical recreation may be defined as the "active aspect of Leisure".  With Leisure meaning free time. 

The person enters into activities through their own choices and in their own free time. 

The emphasis is on participation without focusing on winning. 

Characteristics of Physical Recreation

	Physical Recreation Key Characteristics
1	Fun, enjoyable, non-serious & taking part is the main motive.
2	Physically energetic (effort is applied in physical activity.
3	Participation is by "choice", voluntary & in your free time.
4	Tends to involve adults at the "participation level".
5	It is flexible in nature,
6	It is self-officiated/self-regulated (participants made decisions)

Functions of Physical Recreation

Contributes to:

Individual health and fitness, 

Self-esteem, 

Stress relief, 

Socializing, and 

lifelong physical activity. 

Functions of Physical Recreation

Society benefits from: 

Increased health and fitness, 

Social integration, 

Economic activity, and 

Reduced strain on healthcare systems.

Key Characteristics and Functions of Sport

• Highly structured and is rule-governed (time limits; set boundaries)
• Competitive, and often involves officials,
• Specialist equipment,
• Extrinsic rewards for success, 
• High Skill Levels/High Prowess are visible in Sporting Performance. 
• High Levels of commitment / strict training to maintain levels.

Key Characteristics and Functions of Sport

For individual: 

Can improve health & fitness and physical skill levels. 

Increase in Self-confidence through skill improvement and success.  

Increased social opportunities.

Participation in Sport can develop positive sporting morals and attitudes. 

For society: 

Decrease the strain on the NHS, reduce levels of obesity as health & fitness improve

Levels of crime can be decreased, individuals make more use of their free time, which in turn increases social control within society. 

Economic benefits through people paying to participate and spend money on equipment. 

Employment opportunities can be created as a result of sports participation (coaches, lifeguards, Personal Trainers).

Key Characteristics and Aims of Physical Education (PE)

1988 Education Reform Act modified the National Curriculum for PE slightly 

Compulsory, 

Formally structured Lessons in school time.

4 key Stages taught within the National Curriculum. Lessons pre-planned.

Begins in Primary School " foundation level" 

Aims to develop a wide range of skills, healthy lifestyles, and sporting ethics.

Functions of Outdoor and Adventurous Activities (OAA)

Helps children with appreciation of nature, 

development of physical and survival skills, 

teamwork, and cognitive skills. 

PE departments face challenges in offering 

OAA such as funding and staff training.

Key Characteristics and Aims of School Sport

School Sport is therefore different to PE as it occurs outside of school time & extra curricular with participation being a choice. 

School Sport is competitive and has been promoted as important by governments (School Sport Partnerships & School Games).

Schools sometimes use sports coaches to help increase the range of E-C sporting opportunities available to pupils. 

Benefists: 

increased physcail activity levels increase health & fitness and skill levels, which can increase self-esteem.

Socially, ne groups are formed and new friendships developed. 

Imprvoed cognitive skills can result in improved decision making as well as academic achievement if pupils are more motivated. 

School Sport vs. National Curriculum PE

School sport is extra-curricular, competitive, and can contribute to skill development, self-esteem, and social opportunities. 

PE is compulsory and structured, while school sport and physical recreation are voluntary.

Comparisons between Physical Recreation, Sport, and PE

Physical recreation is more informal and participatory, 

while sport is competitive with a higher commitment level. 

PE is compulsory and structured, while school sport and 

physical recreation are voluntary with school sport being 

more competitive.

Definition List

• Physical recreation: Leisure activity focused on participation and enjoyment without the emphasis on winning. 
• Sport: A structured, competitive activity with set rules and often involves extrinsic rewards. 
• Physical education (PE): Compulsory, curriculum-based instruction that aims to develop physical, mental, and social skills. 
• School sport: Extra-curricular, competitive sports opportunities provided by schools. 
• Outdoor and adventurous activities (OAA): Activities conducted in natural environments, focusing on physical challenges and teamwork.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.