MOST SCHOOLS OFFER SOME TYPE OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM TO THEIR STUDENTS. WHY IS PHYSICAL EDUCATION IMPORTANT? SHOULD PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASSES BE REQUIRED OR OPTIONAL?
Since most schools started to include physical education programs in their curriculae many questions have arisen. Why has exercise become so important? It is really necessary? And moreover, should physical education classes be required or optional?
In my opinion, physical education is essential for the student well-being. My opinion obeys three reasons.
First of all, recent medical research has proven that practicing a physical activity helps to improve academic perfomance. Due to exercise the brain receives a considerable amount of oxygen, which helps it to improve it’s functions. Therefore, a student who regularly performs a physical activity has a better disposition to learn.
Secondly, exercise is necessary to maintain a good mental health, which is especially important in young people since they are prone to suffer depression and other anxiety disorders. When they excercise, their brains produce endorphins, a group of hormones related with the feeling of happiness and well being. Moreover, the levels of cortisol, the hormone that produces stress, are reduced.
Thirdly, I truly believe that performing physical activities like football, basketball and such, create good habits. Playing the mentioned sports encourage students to work as a team, so in the end they not only have fun but also develop relationships with their classmates.
To conclude, I consider that physical education programs are not a waste of the students time or school's resources, as some people would imply. Exercise is important, especially for young people like middle-schoolers who are sill developping, both physically and emotionally. Therefore, and for all the reasons stated above, I believe that physical education should be a compulsory subject in every school.