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Constructions Journal

Flinders University

Philosophical Construction:
What does Physical Education mean to me?
Overtime, the world has seen many adaptations and philosophies surrounding
the notion of physical education. In the beginning, physical education was used
as an educational focus and has since seen many re-developments and
theories as to what it should entail (Wuest and Fisette, 2015).
Overtime the expansion of physical education beyond its traditional realms
(Wuest and Fisette, 2015) has caused the focus to shift from an educational
standpoint to one which is focused on the political upbringing of current and
future generations to stop the rising rate of obesity. Although this is not to say
that it will remain like this for too long, the societal context that surrounds us
influences what physical education will mean to some people. For example,
during the World War II era, the idea of physical education surrounded the notion
of fitness in a bid to heighten national defences against the German Army (Wuest
and Fisette, 2015). Overall, throughout many schools, there was much more
emphasis on conditioning programs with the goal of improving childhood and
youth fitness (Wuest D, Fisette, 2015).
The term physical education can mean different things for different people due
to the fact that people have different philosophies surrounding the term and the
societal environment in which they live. To me, the term physical education
means that I have the task of providing students with the best chance of
engaging in a physically active and healthy lifestyle.

References
Wuest, D. & Fisette, J. (2015) Foundations of Physical Education, Exercise
Science and Sport, 18th edn; McGraw-Hill.

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Constructions Journal

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Historical Constructions:
Historical Context of Rule Changes Regarding Safety in Australian Rules
football.
The sport of Australian Rules Football; Known for its physicality, toughness and
athleticism, has come under scrutiny over past years as light is shed on the
sports players suffering career and life threatening injuries due to the sports
sub-par rules regarding head high bumps and off the ball incidents. In years gone
by, players were much more physical and unrelenting when it came to Australian
Rules football. Players were more inclined to hit/bump above the neck of an
opposition player without any real punishment coming from it.
Australian Rules Football is considered to be one of the most dangerous sports,
and over recent years has been regarded as too dangerous due to the number
of players suffering substantial injuries. The most notorious and threatening
injury that a player can receive is a concussion, and has since been a major
injury concern for all sports in recent years (AFL, 2014). A severe concussion can
be detrimental to an individuals life both during and after their footballing
career, with concussions and post-concussion syndromes lasting for up to ten
months after the incident occurred without any major symptoms developing. An
example of this occurred in 2006, when now retired St Kilda ruckman/forward,
Justin Koschitzke, collapsed on national television during an interview
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77_VhHYb3X4). Although this can happen to
almost any player, the St Kilda ruckmen had a significant history of head trauma
which he suffered throughout his career, which ultimately restricted him from
reaching his full potential and forcing him into an early retirement (Open Mike,
2015).
In order to keep players from harm, but still enable the sport to stay true to its
160 year heritage, the AFL Governing Body devised minor changes and safety
first interpretations to the games most enthralling, yet dangerous acts of
bumping and tackling. Changes include larger penalties and fines to players who
choose to bump an opposition player and make contact to the head or neck
region of the player, and who choose to sling tackle a player. Larger penalties
include suspensions and penalties and increase with the severity of the act.
Although unfortunate injuries and concussions still occur in games, the severity
and occurrence rate has still increased since the new rules and regulations have
been enforced. The reasoning behind the higher rate of concussion isnt to do
with general gameplay however, but rather the inclusion of the substitute rule,
in which clubs are more lenient with injuries due to the fact that they are allowed
one more player on the bench (AFL, 2014)

References
Wuest, D. & Fisette, J. (2015) Foundations of Physical Education, Exercise
Science and Sport, 18th edn; McGraw-Hill.

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Constructions Journal

Flinders University

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Constructions Journal

Flinders University

Physiological and Epidemiological:

In recent years there have been a number of campaigns in order to increase the
physical activity levels in children of all ages in school setting across Australia.
Through public health initiatives, advances in medical science and improvements
in the standards of living (Wuest and Fisette, 2015), there has been an increase
in the population of healthier, more active people. However, this has not halted
the ever-growing stronghold that diseases such as obesity, diabetes and
cardiovascular disease are gaining over our population. It is through these
highly-occurring diseases that the governing bodies of schools across Australia
have made a pledge in order to maximise students chances of remaining
physically fit and active throughout their schooling years and throughout their
future as well.
With the help of the Australian Government, initiatives have been created to
promote the long term benefits that sustained physical activity can have on an
individual. Campaigns such as Walk Safely to School day, Jump Rope for Heart
and the Premiers be Active Challenge have been created in order to promote
healthy and physically active habits at very basic levels which dont require
copious amounts of equipment or time. An initiative such as the Premiers be
Active Challenge is a great example of how rewarding thirty minutes of exercise
a day can be, with young participants receiving rewards such as sporting
equipment and health promoting technology (FitBit Fitness Trackers) for their
efforts.
The overall reason why physiological health is so important to the world is due to
its benefits. Just basic exercises that span across thirty minutes per day can
reduce the risk of heart disease, early death, strokes and of most importantly
diabetes (Wuest and Fisette, 2015). In conjunction with Governmental
organisations, schools are implementing health inspiring activities in order to
engage students in physical activity at an early age.

References
Wuest, D. & Fisette, J. (2015) Foundations of Physical Education, Exercise
Science and Sport, 18th edn; McGraw-Hill.

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Constructions Journal

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Motorlogical and Biomechanical:

Biomechanics; a sub discipline of the field of Physical Education, in which
focuses on the application of the scientific principles of mechanics to understand
movements and actions of the human body and sport implements (e.g., a tennis
racquet) (Wuest and Fisette, 2015).
It is through the understanding of
biomechanics that we, as future educators, can link together the fundamental
motor skills which share relationships across multiple sports.
The

perfect example of the shared relationships that are observed in sports which
involve similar concepts of strategy (e.g. putting more speed on a tennis/
volleyball serve) are included in the illustration below.

The illustration exemplifies eight specific examples of how the relationship of the
overarm throw and its characteristics can be applied to sports such as
badminton, tennis and netball although the overall action is different.

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The reason as to why the overarm throw is so heavily linked to other sports is
due to its biomechanical attributes that allow factors such as; speed, height,
power and accuracy to be applied to the ball or implement being used.
A direct example would be the tennis serve. If we break down the serve into
three possible outcomes (low ball toss, medium ball toss, and high ball toss) it is
clear as to why the high ball toss shares the same characteristics as the overarm
throw. If the ball toss were to be too low, the resulting action of the performer
would be a low powered effort with a short follow-through with minimal accuracy.
If the ball toss were to be at a medium height, the ball follow through would be
larger, however the accuracy and height of impact between the racquet and the
ball would be too low to allow the ball to make it over the net. Last, but certainly
not least, is the high ball toss. This allows ample time for the performer to bring
the racquet to the desired height to allow for the best follow through possible.
References
Wuest, D. & Fisette, J. (2015) Foundations of Physical Education, Exercise
Science and Sport, 18th edn; McGraw-Hill.

Psychological Constructions:
The psychological benefits of Physical Activity
Its that feeling of regretfully waking up early in the morning and going running
that everyone hates. Its that feeling of satisfaction, beauty and happiness (not
all the time) that we sense during that morning run. However, its that
indescribable feeling of finishing that run that keeps us running and exercising.
As stated by Wuest and Fisette, the benefits of physical activity are strongly
positive and lead to positive outcomes in terms of psychological behaviour and
health (Wuest and Fisette, 2015, p296-297). From improved mood states
(Wuest and Fisette, 2015) to the reduction of symptoms associated with
depression (Wuest and Fisette, 2015) it is clear to see as to why we feel satisfied
and accomplished when we complete an exercise routine. According to the
cognitive behaviour hypothesis, participation in exercise promotes positive
thoughts and feelings (Wuest and Fisette, 2015) and serve as a counteract to
negative thoughts and feelings as well as mood states (Wuest and Fisette, 2015).

References
Wuest, D. & Fisette, J. (2015) Foundations of Physical Education, Exercise
Science and Sport, 18th edn; McGraw-Hill.

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Constructions Journal

Flinders University

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Constructions Journal

Flinders University

Sociological Constructions:
How introducing a sports uniform can increase participation rates of students?
Sport depends on maintaining a balance between intrinsic and extrinsic
motivations (Wuest and Fisette, 2015). It is with this notion that we can build a
basis upon the way in which we monetize sporting programs in schools and
communities to make sure that students are actively engaged and participating.
The amount of times a student has not participated in a P.E lesson due to having
the inappropriate clothing would be rather large and its a common get out of
jail free card for students who lack motivation in P.E classes. So how does a
school increase their participation rates for physical activity? In theory it starts
from a young age. Time and time again you see girls of the school yard
participating in flexibility exercises such as handstands and cartwheels, all the
while trying to keep their skirts and dresses down. Overtime this becomes
frustrating for the young women and eventually they give up on the battle with
their skirts and dresses and concede defeat, ultimately setting their motivations
as to why they dont bother participating in physical activity. But there is a
simple solution to counter this: adding in a sports uniform.

References
Wuest, D. & Fisette, J. (2015) Foundations of Physical Education, Exercise
Science and Sport, 18th edn; McGraw-Hill.

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Constructions Journal

Flinders University

Political Constructions:
Mixed Gender Teams? Or A Mixed Theory?
In recent months the Australian Football League has launched a large inquest
into the development of a womens league to accompany the mens league that
has been in operation for the past 180 years (The Age, 2015). With the
establishment of a womans league also comes many ideas and theories as to
whether or not we will one day see an amalgamation of the two gender differed
leagues. From the 1970s onwards, participation rates amongst some of the more
popular sports around the world has grown rapidly, and is now starting to filter
through to some of the lesser known sport (Wuest and Fisette, 2015). Many
parties suggest that the separation of the two leagues is the most appropriate
option, especially considering the fact that the womans league hasnt officially
been established yet. But it begs to answer the question; will women and men
ever come face to face in a mixed gender league? It is extremely rare to see
mixed gender leagues in sports at the moment, however, due to the growing
nature of the sport of Australian Rules, an amalgamation of mixed gender teams
could prove to be a big stepping stone in the popularity of the sport. With other
sports such as motor racing, tennis (mixed doubles) and Korfball, we can start to
see a small pattern appearing. The sports listed above prove no real advantage
or disadvantage to the two genders. For example, in motor racing, the gender of
the driver does not matter even the slightest. Yes, one can argue that men do
have better reflexes and their keen eye for an apex does help, but the benefits
are marginal at best. Mixed doubles tennis on the other hand is somewhat
similar, with the rules accommodating for certain elements throughout a game.
For instance, women can only serve to their women opponents and men must
serve to their opposite male opponent. This is a great implementation of the
mixed gender opportunity and does allow for expansion within the sports
popularity for young women. So why cant this be the same for a mixed gender
AFL league. In my opinion, its rather simple, disregarding any form of sexism or
bias towards either genders. Simply put, the male and female differences in a
sport as physical as Australian Rules can not only cause injury but would also
come under large scrutiny. The tampering of rules would not only make the game
unplayable, but also unpleasant to watch.
Its an unfortunate truth, but
ultimately one that not only reduces the risk of injury but enables both men and
women to compete in their respective leagues to the best of their ability.

References
Wuest, D. & Fisette, J. (2015) Foundations of Physical Education, Exercise
Science and Sport, 18th edn; McGraw-Hill.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/afl-to-launch-womens-league-in-201720150815-gizses.html

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Educational Constructions:
The prime purpose of public education is to develop all dimensions of the human
intellect (South Australia Department for Education, 1997). As educators, we
need to promote and develop the dimensions of students and prove why physical
education is so important, as well as show that having a high quality of physical
education is beneficial to every student (Wuest and Fisette, 2015). A physical
educators job is just as important as any other occupation as it teaches and
supplies the benefits and knowledge surrounding physical education as a key
learning area. As teaching professionals, we need to conduct quality programs
which incorporate the physical education content standards that all students
should achieve (Wuest and Fisette, 2015). We as physical educators need to be
as physically educated as possible in order to do this as it ensures that the
information that is provided to students is of as high quality as possible. In order
to become the best physical education teachers, we need to be physically
educated ourselves. This stems from concepts such as; philosophy, history,
physiological, biomechanical, psychological, sociological and politics. A true,
physically educated individual excels in a range of skills that are necessary to
perform in a variety of physical activities (Wuest and Butcher, 2011).

References
Wuest, D. & Fisette, J. (2015) Foundations of Physical Education, Exercise
Science and Sport, 18th edn; McGraw-Hill.