Comment: Research from the USA found that 'many children are slower runners than their parents'. Tony Macfadyen, Associate Professor of PE at the University of Reading, says 'we neglect PE at our peril'
Release Date 20 November 2013
Tony Macfadyen, Associate Professor of PE at the University of Reading, comments on a new report that found many children cannot run as fast as their parents.
"The Government, amongst others, places great emphasis on STEM subjects and English - in primary schools these are given the high profile and best slots in the day. PE, and other creative arts subjects, is often the subject sacrificed for the school play rather than STEM subjects or anything to do with SATs, as league tables can drive what and how schools do things. What message this is sending to parents and especially our children and young people? We may end up with a generation of students doing well on so called academic subjects but whose fitness, and most importantly knowledge and attitude to PE, sport and exercise, is not strong enough.
"PE provides a basis for a lifetime of physical activity and to neglect it is to do so at our peril, not least as there is growing research suggesting those young people that are active do better at school, and PE can help raise school measures such as attainment and attendance."