Understanding Physical Activity Roles and Traditional Sport

Defining Physical Activity by Professional Role

For professionals in school education, the concept of physical activity is specific, incorporating technological purpose and various restrictions.

Physical Activity for School Education Professionals

For Teachers (Under 12 Years)

• Restriction 5: Subject: Under 12 years.
• Restriction 6: Purpose: Education.
• Restriction 7: Surroundings: School.
• Restriction 8: Intensity: Moderate to vigorous.

For Secondary Teachers (12 to 18 Years)

• Restriction 5: Subject: 12 to 18 years.
• Restriction 6: Purpose: Education.
• Restriction 7: Surroundings: Secondary education centers.
• Restriction 8: Intensity: Moderate to vigorous.

Physical education should provide a generic set of athletic skills. Students seek experience in a certain range of sports and active leisure activities, with emphasis on quality and choice.

Physical Activity for Coaches

For Coaches (Sporting Talent)

• Restriction 5: Subject: Children or adults with sporting talent.
• Restriction 6: Purpose: Performance.
• Restriction 7: Environment: Sports club.
• Restriction 8: Intensity: Strenuous.

This is what we call sport training.

Physical Activity for Physical Trainers

For Physical Trainers (Excellence)

• Restriction 5: Subject: Highly conditioned individuals.
• Restriction 6: Purpose: Excellence.
• Restriction 7: Environment: Sports club.
• Restriction 8: Intensity: High.

This is what we call fitness or personal training.

Characteristics of Sport in Traditional Culture

1. Informal local organization.
2. Simple, unwritten customary rules, legitimized by tradition.
3. Regional variation in regulations.
4. Strong influence of natural and social differences on play patterns.
5. Differentiation of roles among players.
6. Informal social control by players within the game context.
7. High tolerance for physical violence and emotional spontaneity.
8. Emphasis on physical strength over skill.
9. Strong community pressure to participate; subordination of individual identity to the group.