Making children and youth physically active through cooperation between school, home and sports clubs – support research on children’s and youth’s physical activity
In honour of its 60th anniversary, the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences wants to highlight the importance of physical activity and physical education for children and youth. For several years, research findings have indicated that children and youth are not physically active enough to support their health and wellbeing.
“For many children, the weekly PE classes at school are their only opportunities for physical activity,” says Associate Professor of Sport Pedagogy Arja Sääkslahti. “PE at school, which reaches the whole age cohort, has been shown, both nationally and internationally, to be the most significant way to respond to the challenge of lacking physical activity.”
PE at school creates a basis for holistic wellbeing
The Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences at the Ģֱ has educated PE teachers in Finland for sixty years. Every year, about 70 PE teachers graduate from the faculty qualified to work as PE subject teachers in basic education and at the secondary or tertiary level education.
“PE is the only school subject for motor skills,” says Associate Professor of Sport Pedagogy Timo Jaakkola. “Physical activity increases holistic wellbeing, so the motor skills we learn in childhood and youth really have significance for our life.”
Sports clubs provide chances for more extensive physical education
Physical education also takes place outside school with families and in free-time activities with sports clubs, for example. Research findings indicate that those working in clubs relate positively to broader physical education that goes beyond simply traditional sports training. However, this has yet to show up extensively in the activities of sports clubs.
“Sports clubs and especially the coaches and instructors have considerable potential for impactful physical education,” says Associate Professor of Health Promotion Sami Kokko. “Creating a broad and well-rounded basis for physical activity is the most important mission of sports club activities in childhood.”
60th anniversary of PE teacher education – a fundraising campaign: Support research on the physical activity of children and youth!
The Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences has a strong tradition of longitudinal studies addressing the challenges of physical activity among children and youth and searching for means to promote their well-being. In its 60th anniversary, the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences is launching a fund-raising campaign. By participating in this campaign, you support the faculty’s research on children’s and youth’s physical activity.
Payment information: Bank account number for the JYU fund-raising campaign: FI57 8000 1971 2925 20, use reference “LTK 60”
Fundraising licence granted by the police: License number RA/2020/634 (pdf). The license is valid from 29 May 2020.
The year 2023 is also a jubilee year for the Ģֱ. The University celebrates its 160-year-long history by highlighting the significance of education and equality. The University and its Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences work for education by training teachers and other experts of the changing world.
Further information:
Sarianna Sipilä, Professor, Dean of the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences
sarianna.sipila@jyu.fi
040 805 3593
The ܱٲ’s 60th anniversary website: www.jyu.fi/sport/fi/liikunta-60-vuotta
