Importance of Physical Education at Schools - Essay Example

Sports and education Many remain conflicted about whether sports affect students’ performance in education in an adverse or beneficial manner. Those of the opinion that sports is beneficial to education cite benefits such as increased physical fitness level, psychological and behavioral benefits, and sports serving as an avenue for exceptional student athletes to access higher education institutions without any expenses. Conversely, those who view sports as being a detractor of student athletes’ academic performance cite drawbacks such as heightened pressure to excel in sporting activities, which are more popular, at the expense of their education. According to them, the heightened pressure constitutes psychological problems likely to cause dysfunctions in other areas of their lives. Discussed below are the reasons outlined above in detail. Physical education is an integral part of elementary and high school curriculums further validating the importance of sports. The different parties involved in designing school curriculums take into consideration various factors, which when combined contribute to the holistic development of students. As such, students are encouraged to participate in extra-curricular activities such as sports and enrolling in different social clubs. Sports represent a more intensified form of physical education whereby students expel more energy and spend more time on practice with the aim of honing their skills in order to excel in competitions. Students who participate in sports competitively while in schools learn a wide range of life skills, which instructors might find difficult to teach in a classroom setting. For example, such students develop resilience, as they learn how to push themselves beyond their physical and psychological capabilities. Those who participate in team-oriented sporting activities learn how to trust and rely on their teammates. In some cases, student athletes who were previously introverted adjust their behaviors whereby they become socially active, as they frequently interact with their teammates and fans. In addition, students who participate in sports have a lower risk of developing health-related complications caused by leading a sedentary lifestyle. Obesity among students in the US remains an issue of concern. Competitive sports increases student athletes’ physical fitness level by increasing the efficiency of their metabolism levels. Through sports, exceptional athletes are able to access scholarship opportunities to further their education. Accessing college education might prove challenging to students, especially those from low-income backgrounds. Despite government subsidies, college education is still expensive. Without the financial aid offered by most colleges, many high school graduates would not be able to further their education. Unfortunately, the financial aid provided in the form of scholarships is accessible to students on merit whereby they are only accessible to students who excel in either academics or sports. Many professional athletes launched their professional careers after scouts from different universities drafted them from educational institutions. It is important to note that sports scholarships remain an important avenue for promoting academics. Students on sports scholarships are required to pursue academic courses that interest them during their stay at the college. This prepares them for unforeseeable circumstances such as severe injuries likely to end their sporting careers. With education credentials, they are able to integrate themselves with the rest of society without becoming self-reliant or dependent on those around them. Conversely, highly competitive sports can adversely affect students’ academic performance; therefore, detract their pursuit of an education. Students who excel in highly competitive sports find it difficult to split their time between maintaining above average academic performance and refining their skills in their respective sporting activities. Unlike their counterparts who only have to concentrate on academics and less demanding extra-curricular activities, student athletes are subjected to more pressure from all ends. For most education institutions, exceling in sports is a sign of prestige. As such, all parties (school administrators, parents, students and teachers) have stakes in ensuring their sports teams succeed. Student athletes find themselves gravitating towards dedicating more of their time towards sports and less time towards their academics as the former is more likely to yield praise and recognition. As a result, their academic performance deteriorates, which makes it harder for them to enroll in colleges after graduation in the event that they do not qualify for sports scholarships or get drafted by top professional teams. In extreme cases, the heightened pressure to perform might compel student athletes to use banned performance enhancement substances such as steroids. Unfortunately, the use of such substances causes physiological complications when used over extended periods. Student athletes in such precarious positions are more likely to have their careers ended prematurely when their maladjusted behaviors are exposed to the public. In addition, student athletes are more likely to suffer from mental health problems such as depression and anxiety disorders. Such disorders also result from both internal and external stressors. Student athletes are constantly pushing themselves physiologically and psychologically beyond their limits in order to excel; therefore, gain recognition for their achievements. More often than not, student athletes participating in individual sporting activities attribute failure or underperformance to internal dispositions, which heightens the distress levels. This in turn undermines their resilience or ability to cope causing them to develop maladjusted behaviors or psychological disorders. In conclusion, both proponents and opponents of the contentious issue present strong arguments to support their claims. In my opinion, the benefits student athletes stand to gain from the integration of sports with education outweigh the drawbacks. The benefits are holistic in nature whereby they touch on all aspects of the student athletes’ lives. From a physical standpoint, student athletes’ heightened metabolism rate helps to increase their physical fitness levels while concurrently preventing the development of obesity and obesity related ailments. They also experience psychological benefits, which result from the adjustment of attitudes and behaviors. Most learn how to co-exist with those around them by relying and trusting their teammates. Finally, exceling in sports also provides student athletes with opportunities to further their education. Despite the benefits, it is crucial for student athletes to be wary of the drawbacks, which are likely to disrupt their education program; for example, heightened pressure that triggers abuse of performance enhancement substances or mental disorders. Read More