2. Context for the Development of Physical Education

2.1 Changing Needs of Irish Society:

Ireland is one of the most rapidly changing countries in the world. This change has brought unprecedented economic growth and technological innovation. One of the biggest challenges presented to Irish society by the new Tiger economy is the future health of the population and the holistic development of the young people who will drive the country in the future. Physical Education has a key role to play in nourishing and sustaining the progress, which has been made.

2.2 Health of the Nation:

A healthy workforce, productively occupied youth and a population with a high quality of life are essential ingredients as Ireland moves forward with confidence in the new millennium. Diseases association with sedentary lifestyle (obesity, heart disease etc.) seriously threaten both the quality of life and the economic viability of the nation.

2.3 Sedentary Lifestyle:

Research evidence on a randomly selected sample (n = 544) of Limerick adolescents (14-17 years) indicated that 46% of the population were not behaviourally disposed to participating in physical activity and may only do so through the process of education. 11% only started regular exercise in the last 6 months, 13% had relapsed from regular exercise and 29% have been exercising regularly for more than 6 months (Shiely, Sohun & Mac Donncha, 2001). For the above findings regular exercise is defined as 3 or more times per week for 20 minutes or more on each occasion. If all children are to experience the benefits of participation in physical activity they must become involved in an educational process, which commences at a very young age and continues through primary and post-primary education and then throughout life. Quality Physical Education is a life long process and should not be confined to the school curriculum.

The North/South Ireland Food Consumption Survey (2001) found that 58% of the population were either overweight or obese. A total of 18% were obese (20% of men and 16% of women) and 39% were overweight (46% of men and 33% of women). Research has indicated that a 5-10% reduction in weight can reduce other cardiovascular risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, and elevated blood cholesterol. A sedentary lifestyle in adults and children is one of the key contributing factors to obesity.

The Physical Education professional is in a strategic position to dramatically reverse this trend and to optimise participation in physical activity and sport.

2.4 Challenges for the Physical Education Teacher.

The future development of the role of the Physical Education teacher takes place in the context of rapid societal changes and at a time when four new syllabi for Primary and Secondary schools are being completed. Some of the changes, which are impacting on the role of the Physical Education teacher, include:

• Children of all ages are being influenced by many diverse sources to lead a more sedentary existence.
  
• This will have serious consequences for the health of the population.
  
• For these reason, in particular, Physical Education teachers must be clear as to what are their goals.
  
• There has been far too much fragmentation in the field in the past, leading to confusion and ambiguity of purpose.
  
• Physical Education is for life.
  
• Physical Education is about physical activity.
  
• Physical Education is a process that introduces students to the skills, knowledge and attitudes that will enable them to make choices with regard to participation levels in physical activity.
  
• The problem in the future may not be with the available range of activities but succeeding in involving students in any activity