Importancia de la educación física para los estudiantes del grado undécimo del Colegio Santo Tomás de Aquino

Abstract

In Colombia, teachers working in the areas of Physical Education, Recreation, and Sport represent approximately 3.14% of the country’s official teaching workforce. Although this figure is small in proportion, it reflects the essential role these professionals play in the comprehensive education of children and adolescents by promoting healthy lifestyles and the regular practice of physical activity from an early age. The Ministry of National Education, in coordination with the Colombian Federation of Educators (FECODE), is responsible for promoting public policies and pedagogical strategies that highlight the importance of physical activity as a fundamental component of the population’s physical and mental well-being. These efforts are aimed not only at strengthening education within schools, but also at raising social awareness of the benefits associated with an active lifestyle. However, current indicators reveal significant challenges. According to the results of the National School Health Survey, only 15% of Colombian adolescents meet the daily recommendations for physical activity. When this data is analyzed by sex, it is observed that 19.5% of male adolescents reach the recommended levels, compared to only 11.5% of female adolescents, highlighting a gender gap in physical activity habits that requires particular attention. These data reflect the urgent need to strengthen physical education programs and to promote school environments that facilitate and encourage the regular practice of physical activity among all students (Ministry of National Education, 2024). Sedentary behavior is defined as the lack of sufficient physical activity to reach recommended levels that promote and maintain good health. It is important to note that sedentary behavior is not limited solely to the absence of structured physical exercise, but also includes prolonged periods of inactivity or sedentary behaviors, such as sitting or lying down for most of the day. According to various studies, a person is considered to lead a sedentary lifestyle when they spend between 6 and 8 hours per day without engaging in moderate or vigorous physical activity. This situation is particularly concerning among children and adolescents, where excessive screen use has significantly displaced the time previously devoted to active play and other forms of movement, negatively affecting their physical development and overall well-being (European University, 2024).