| What is Physical Education? | |
| What is Health Education? | |
| Related Career Titles | |
| Related Major Skills | |
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In most educational systems, physical education (PE), also called physical training (PT) or gym in less progressive settings, is a course in the curriculum which utilizes learning in the cognitive, affective and psycho motor domains in a play or movement exploration setting. In the United States, it is almost always mandatory for students in elementary schools, and often for students in middle schools and high schools.
The primary aim of physical education is to equip students with the knowledge, skills, capacities, and values along with the enthusiasm to maintain a healthy lifestyle into adulthood. Some schools also require physical education as a way to promote weight loss in students. Activities included in the program are designed to promote physical fitness, to develop motor skills, to instill knowledge and understanding of rules, concepts, and strategies, and to teach students to work as part of a team, or as individuals, in a wide variety of competitive activities.
Health education is defined as the process by which individuals and groups of people learn to behave in a manner conducive to the promotion, maintenance or restoration of health. It is a continuing process of informing people how to achieve and maintain good health; of motivating them to do so; and of promoting environmental and lifestyle changes to facilitate their objective.
Some positions are entry level, while others require advanced degrees and experience:
| Activities Director | Cruise Recreation Director | Personal Trainer |
| Adventurer/Risk Trainer | Dance-/Aerobics Instructor | Prison Recreation Specialist |
| Aquatic Management | Emergency Medical Tech. | Recreation Specialist |
| Athletic Coach | Exercise Physiology | Rehabilitation Specialist |
| Athletic Trainer | Health/Fitness Consultant | Sporting Goods Sales |
| Cardiac Rehabilitation | SPA/Health Club Manager | Social Director |
| Cardiovascular Fitness Instructor | Nutrition Specialist | Strength-Conditioning Coach |
| Community Recreation | Occupational Exercise | Swimming Pool Manager |
| Corporate Fitness Instructor | Park Manager | Teacher; Physical Education |
| Country Club manger | Occupational Therapy Asst. | Physical Therapist |
| Camp Director | Sports Medicine | Physical Therapist Assistant |
| Dietitian | Sports Medicine | Sports-Fitness Nutritionist |
| Chiropractor | Sports Psychologist | Professional Sports Scout |
| Sports Agent | PE/Sport/Research Instructor | Professional Sports Umpire |
| Athletic Director | Commercial Recreation |
| Interest in Coaching | Interest in Teaching |
| Motor Skills | Knowledge of Proper Nutrition |
| Motivational Skills | Planning Skills |
| Discussion Skills (ie, human sexuality) | Patience |
| Oral & Visual Communication Skills | Athletically inclined |
| Demonstration Skills (physical activities) | Interest in Physical Activities |
| Interest in Health Issues | Interest & Knowledge in the mechanics and general health of human body |