SHE SAID, SHE SAID Does PE really impact physical fitness? Abigail Parker • Staff Reporter Reilly Nance • Arts and Entertainment Editor
A
YES
ccording to the website Health, 65 percent of high schools in America require physical education for students so that they stay fit. Of course, if class time is not used wisely, there will be no positive impact on your physical fitness. Most of the time, gym teachers require their students to do something physical. While the teacher usually lets their students choose their own exercises, this does not mean the students should do the bare minimum and roll a ball around for an hour. Instead, the students should perform actual exercises or even play a game of volleyball. Though many students think this hour-long class is not enough time to work out, most people make it a goal to perform at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day, as recommended by the American Heart Association. This means that all the exercise you should do for the day can be done during that class period. Most people who had fond memories of their gym classes still work out to this day, while those who did not have great gym class experiences tend to not work out in their adult years, according to a 2018 New York Times study. By starting a routine and gradually becoming more active as the days pass, you can see the impact of physical fitness and productivity of time spent in gym class. It all relies on making the most of your time and staying motivated.
F
NO
or decades gym class has been portrayed and satirized as a time of awkwardness and humiliation for both middle and high school students. While this is not the true reality for many schools, required Physical Education classes still hold more cons than pros. Parents and students alike question why it is a mandatory credit students must complete. At Bishop Kenny, students must take one year of physical education class or take two years of NJROTC. Typical P.E. classes involve games or kickball, baseball and frisbee. These activities require very little motion, and most students do not participate to the best of their abilities. On average, students only spend around 16 minutes being physically active in a 45 minute P.E. class period, according to an MSNBC investigation. The remainder of class time is spent socializing, sitting around and spilling the latest gossip. In today’s society, when standardized test scores and core GPA are so crucial, students should not be robbed of this precious academic class-time. Some schools have noticed this pressing issue and adjusted the curriculum accordingly. Instead of the stereotypical running laps and being forced to reach a certain number of pushups, students are instead taught how to maintain healthy eating habits and the benefits of doing so. This offers a more impactful education for students and provides them with information that will be useful in the future.
OPINIONS | ISSUE 4 25
