Glad to see someone else also recognizes that the sport-centric approach is a barrier preventing those who are less confident in competitive sporting environments from engaging in physical activity. Ultimately, it is these kids that we must cater our approaches to as it can be assumed that those who are not as athletically and competitively inclined are at a greater risk of discontinuing physical activity altogether. Providing an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive is integral in ensuring that those at risk continue to stay active without the pressure that comes with competitive sports. I also liked how you highlighted the connection that physical activity has on the mental health and well-being of individuals. I read an article published by the National Library of Medicine that echoed this very point. It found that over 3 years, kids who engaged in physically active lessons increased their academic performance by 6 percent, whereas those who learned in a more conventional and sedentary classroom environment saw their performance decrease by 1 percent. This is just one of many articles that continue to present evidence supporting the connection between physical activity and academic performance and completely agree that we must work to help educators become more knowledgable about the need for physical education. Have you considered ways in which we could do this?
Brianne McLeish