Group of boys (7-9) and teacher playing ball game in gym
The old days of Physical Education being a place for endless games of dodgeball and kickball are in the past—well, they are at least getting an upgrade.
Beginning in September 2016, students from the United Kingdom who will take their GCSEs and A-Levels in PE (the equivalents of a specialized high school diploma in the United States) will be schooled in sports science, ethical issues in sports and an increased array of sports as activities, according to The Independent.
With courses like biomechanics, cardiovascular optimization, plyometrics, high-intensity interval training and mental preparation, students will be schooled as much in anatomy, physiology and psychology as active sports.
They will then have to contemplate ethical issues in sports, such as the use of performance-enhancing drugs and the factors leading to institutionalized sexism in sports.
Even the active sports are getting an improvement with this new curriculum, and snowboarding, rock climbing, riding and rowing will be offered to the number of options students have.
To fully pass their GCSE, PE students must perform in three different sports—one individual, one team and one more of their choosing.
Many of the most successful British athletes went through this system, like soccer superstar Gareth Bale. The sports science aspect of the PE program should be useful for the future generations of British athletes to understand more about what their body is going through as they perform.
It will force them to have a keen eye on injury prevention, rehabilitation and how they need to prepare to compete at the highest level. Who knows, it might even lead to a healthier culture in British athletics—one in which there are fewer smoking scandals, among other issues.
What’s next for PE after this? Maybe a course on wearables.
