The tradition of Health Physical Education - more than a seven decades long history of a unique school subject in Czech education
Abstract
Introduction: More than seventy years ago, the directive on the so-called Special Physical Education (PE) came into force in Czechoslovakia as a school subject. Later it was renamed to Health Physical Education (HPE) combining therapeutic, preventive and educational work.
Methods: The aim of this historical review is to present the development of this subject during the past 70 years and its reflection in the present time challenges. Results: Since their beginning, the HPE classes have been determined for children with special educational needs (SEN) in PE: children with movement, respiratory, cardiovascular, metabolic and other disorders.
It sought to influence various functional disorders through compensatory, breathing and relaxation exercises. HPE has been taught at universities involved in professional preparation of future PE teachers.
Despite long tradition and positive experience, we see a clear decrease in the number of schools offering this subject. Discussion: HPE has formed an important bridge between medical rehabilitation and regular PE.
Recently, its application is rather rare. Factors leading to this situation include: a legal possibility to exempt pupils from PE classes which is overused; insufficient preparation of future teachers and negative attitudes of students and parents to PE.
This can deny PE from teaching pupils to care for their own health and to increase their motor competency despite their impairment. Conclusions: The HPE subject in Czech educational system can be seen as an example of positive practice of organisation a school subject focused on promoting health and developing physical literacy.
Keywords: Adapted PE, special educational needs