PHYSICAL EDUCATION AT SCHOOL: A path to health and citizenship?

Abstract

This paper discusses the theme Physical Education in Schools: A Path to Health and Citizenship, with emphasis on the subject of physical education, a mandatory curricular component in schools. Through a bibliographical review, this article presents in detail the various meanings of citizenship. Then, a study will be carried out emphasizing citizenship and physical education, its development and how its manifestation occurred in Brazil. Therefore, it is expected that the contribution described here to the current academic debate, from now on, proposes a new relationship between physical education and the concept of health and citizenship, also the expectation of a new vision on the development of the student citizen. It also aims to investigate productively and scientifically the subject in focus Physical Education in Schools: a path to Health and Citizenship, that the articles published in magazines and books related to the theme will contribute to the understanding of the effectiveness of Physical Education in Schools, producing positive effects. The articles, books and subjects related to the theme are mostly studies from the 90s, which in turn shows that it is strictly related to the practice of exercise and physical-motor performance. Other factors are also addressed, such as socioeconomic conditions and the individual's social and historical background, in expanding how health is conceptualized at the time. The publications are fewer and inherent to the topic, but of great relevance. It is also noted that the Physical Education factor in Schools does not entirely mean health and citizenship. If analyzed in this way, it will be like having a reduced view of what health is, and the act of Physical Education in Schools will also be limited. Thus, it cannot limit the topic, because Physical  Education in Schools is indeed health and has to do with citizenship. Therefore, the importance of this will be discussed in this article.