School Based Physical Activity in the United Kingdom: Can It Create Physically Active Adults?

Abstract

This paper attempts to demonstrate the important behavioral link between participation in physical education and extra-curricular physical activities in young people and their subsequent adult exercise behavior. Physical activity during the school day may play a key role in developing positive exercise behavior patterns in children, and participation in these activities could lead to young people becoming physically active adults in the future. Studies that have attempted to track individuals' physical activity levels across the life span would provide initial support for this relationship. Since individuals spend most of their childhood lives at school, it seems sensible to consider providing and maximizing the opportunities young people have to exercise before, during, and after their school day.