Characteristics of Physical Activity

1. Characteristics of Physical Activity Learning objectives To understand the concepts of leisure, play, PE, recreation, OAA and sport. To describe and contrast the concepts and their functions. To understand the national curriculum and the elements involved.

2. Leisure Time What is the difference between the type of swimming taking place in these 3 photos? Why has there been a growth in leisure time in the last 50 years?

3. Leisure Time Consider this diagram.... What is it that changes as you move from play to sport?

4. Leisure Time Leisure is......spare time during which individuals can choose what to do. Discuss the function of leisure time. What does it provide? Helps relaxation Improves fitness Functions of leisure Provides opportunities for socialising Helps reduce crime Civilises society

5. Leisure Time The term 'leisure' covers a variety of types of active participation (play, physical recreation and sport). Physical education is a compulsory subject at school and as such lessons cannot be considered leisure time. However, school PE programmes often provide extra-curricular opportunities for pupils in their free time.

6. The Leisure Continuum This activity continuum highlights different concepts of leisure and the structure that goes with them. Low structure Non-competitive Choice High level of structure Competitive Organised Play Physical Recreation Outdoor Education PE OAA Sport

7. Factors influencing leisure time • There are a number of factors can affect participation in leisure time: • Socioeconomic status - i.e. how much time and disposable income someone has available. • Stereotyping - traditional viewpoints may limit participation in leisure-time activities for some people. e.g. Male dancers. • Disability - local facilities and availability of specialist coaches are often inadequate for people with disabilities.

8. Factors influencing leisure time • Age - some activities are seen as being suitable only for the young, for example skateboarding. • Ethnicity - some ethnic groups do not place as high a priority on 'active leisure' as they do on educational achievement. • Lack of facilities - while people may have plenty of free time, local facilities are often limited or of poor quality.

9. Physical Recreation To physically recreate is to take part in a game or activity for it’s own sake, not for any extrinsic reward. It is entered into voluntarily during free time and people have a choice concerning which activities they take part in. The focus is on participation rather than results. Give some examples of physical recreation.

10. Examples of Physical Recreation The atmosphere tends to be relaxed - taking part is the main motive.

11. Physical recreation objectives • Recreation provides many functions, these include: • Relax and unwind • Socialise and meet new people • Be creative and self-fulfilment • Improve health and fitness A key reason why many people take part in recreational activities is to relax and recuperate from the stresses of everyday life.

12. Physical recreation and society • The social benefits of recreation include: • Less strain on the NHS • Social control and crime reduction • Employment opportunities • Economic benefits

13. Play • Play is identified by the following characteristics: • Enjoyable activity/fun • Non serious and simple • Non obligated • Spontaneous • Rules and time constraints are flexible. Children play to master reality, adults play to escape reality Can you give other examples of play?

14. Play • Equipment may be modified and simple, often using what children bring with them, e.g. jumpers used as goalposts. • Comparing and contrasting play and recreation: • Both play and recreation include the following: • They are entered into of one's own free will. • The main motivation is enjoyment/fun. • They have an informal structure and flexible rules. • The outcome is non-serious and results not important

15. Play • The differences between play and recreation include: • Other motives are likely to be involved in the recreation process – i.e. adults may use recreation to escape the relieve stress, and see it as an opportunity to improve their health. • Recreation is slightly more organised than play.

16. Play • Play has different functions both for adults and children. Adults use play as a stress release whereas children use it as a way to master reality. • Play teaches children 6 main values: • Physical (e.g. coordination, catching) • Social (e.g. communication) • Emotional (e.g. accepting defeat) • Cognitive (e.g. making up games and rules) • Moral (e.g. playing fair) • Environmental (e.g. safety)

17. Sport • To be classed as a sport an activity must have the following characteristics: • High level of physical exertion required to perform • Competitive • Have a governing body • High level of commitment and skill required • When and where it takes place and who takes part is decided by someone else • Participants often play for extrinsic rewards • Sport can be a career for some people

18. Sport Explain whether you think these are sports or not and why. • Aerobics • Arm wrestling • Body building • Skateboarding • Chess

19. The 4 ‘W’ Questions These 4 questions will help you to determine what an activity is defined as: • Who is taking part? Adults or children? 2. When is it happening? Strict or flexible time? Purpose built facilities or back garden? 3. Where is it taking place? 4. Why are they taking part? Intrinsic or extrinsic?

20. Functions of sport • Sport serves a number of important functions including: • Improving health and fitness • Increasing self-esteem and self-confidence • Providing an opportunity for socialising The sporting success of national teams creates national pride. e.g. Great Britain's Olympic success at the Beijing games especially in the cycling and swimming.

21. Sportsmanship Quality displayed by a person or team such as fairness, generosity, observance of the written and unwritten rules and knowing how to lose honourably. E.g…….. Certain sports have a reputation for high levels of sportsmanship. i.e. golf… maintain silence while partner is playing a shot, congratulating them on another round.

22. Gamesmanship Bending the rules to gain an advantage over opponents. Usually a tactical and unethical ploy. i.e. Sledging in cricket. Can you think of any other examples of gamesmanship?

23. Gamesmanship Such codes of conduct can have positive or negative effects on the sporting contest. Sportsmanship helps the game to run smoothly and encourage goodwill among players and spectators. On the other hand, gamesmanship can lead to ill feeling and a contest disintegrating as officials struggle to make decisions and keep control.

24. Physical Education ..Formally planned and taught curriculum to increase knowledge and values through physical activity/experience”. • Only takes place in educational institutions. • Always involves a teacher passing on knowledge to a group of pupils. • Almost always concerned with bodily movement. • It is part of the National Curriculum (i.e. it is compulsory.

25. Physical Education What is function of PE? (Why is it important?) • Functions include: • Help develop physical skills. e.g. coordination • To improve health and fitness • To develop social skills. e.g. forming friendships • To improve self confidence • To develop leadership qualities

26. Triangular Model of Physical Education A pupil's experiences of PE should contain 3 elements:

27. The National Curriculum Minimum of 2 hour of P.E per week is compulsory in schools through the National Curriculum • Key stage 3 pupils (11-14) must do 4 of the following activities. • Games activities • Dance activities • Gymnastics activities • Swimming activities • Athletic activities • Outdoor and adventurous activities A number of different roles should be experienced, including performer, coach and official

28. The ideal situation is to get everyone at school to take part in meaningful PE experiences. Why is this not possible? • Inadequate facilities / equipment / time • Low numbers of staff and expertise available • Lack of pupil interest / ability / effort • Lack of staff motivation to do extra curricular activities. (these are done voluntarily and staff do not get paid for the extra time).

29. Outdoor and Adventurous Activities • Outdoor and adventurous activities (OAA) is one of the six areas of National Curriculum PE. • Definition: • “A means of approaching educational objectives through guided direct experience in the environment using its resources as learning materials”.

30. Outdoor and Adventurous Activities The function of OAA is to heighten awareness of and develop respect for: • Self – by giving yourself a challenge and overcoming that challenge. A good example of this is climbing a rock face. • Others – to gain group experiences, share decisions and work together as a team. Canoeing demonstrates this well. A sense of adventure and excitement is an important element of the outdoor experience.

31. How is an outdoor activity educational? • Learn about oneself in a challenging environment • A personal experience • Unpredictable (adventure, risk, interesting) • Appreciation of nature • Excitement (rush of wind, spray of water) • Feel good factor, healthy, fresh air

32. Outdoor and Adventurous Activities OAA in schools tends to be of relatively low quality. A number of factors contribute to this and subsequently affects a pupil's OAA experience:

33. Outdoor and Adventurous Activities • If staff lack qualifications, experience or motivation, the opportunities for a positive and meaningful experience will be reduced. • Lessons do not allow much time for such activities. • Access to the natural environment is not always easy. • Money and resources are often not available

34. OAA as Recreation The key distinguishing features of OAA as a recreational activity are: Appreciation and respect of the natural environment A challenge with the natural environment Sense of adventure and risk e.g use of hills, lakes and rivers for relaxation and pleasure, not just playing a game of hockey outside. Give some other examples of outdoor recreation.

35. Other examples of outdoor recreation..

36. Functions of OAA as Outdoor Recreation • Individuals who participate in outdoor recreational activities such as skiing do so for a number of reasons: • To improve health and fitness • For stress release and relaxation • As a personal challenge & to develop self-confidence • To develop an appreciation of the natural environment

37. Test your understanding Look at the following pictures and categorise each one into either play, physical recreation, sport or outdoor recreation.

38. Quick fire Questions 1. Any activity using the natural environment is called an ................... activity 2. Physical Recreation is the active aspect of .......... 3. Play mainly leads to intrinsic rewards in comparison to sport which involves rewards which are ......... 4. Playing for the school hockey team would be classified as what? 5. To be classed as a sport an activity must have a ............... 6. PE only takes place in what type of institutions?

39. Exam Style Questions. 1. Define the term recreation. (2) 2. Describe the difference between sportsmanship and gamesmanship. (3)

40. 3. Explain how you could experience Physical Education, Physical Recreation, Play and Sport as part of a Physical Education Programme. P.E ……………….. Physical Recreation …………… Play ……………. Sport …………… (4 Marks)