PE 100 Active Living

Position Statement

The faculty in the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation believe that colleges and universities should require students to take Lifetime Fitness courses as part of their general education requirements. Active Living courses, when properly taught are beneficial in developing positive attitudes towards fitness, a positive effect on fitness knowledge, and an equivocal impact on actual physical activity.  It is common knowledge that physical activity produces health benefits for the individual, but the benefits of a fitter, healthier, more productive population are often overlooked.

1. "A combination of physical inactivity and poor diet causes at least 300,000 deaths a year; only the use of tobacco causes more preventable deaths. In addition, there is a strong relationship between overweight and related diseases that cost more than $100 billion every year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a sedentary lifestyle almost doubles one's risk for coronary heart disease and increases risks for diabetes, certain cancers, high blood pressure, depression, and osteoporosis" (Gabbard, 2000).
2. If Active Living and activity-based classes positively influence student physical activity behavior beyond graduation and increase exercise, thereby producing healthier citizens, then these courses may save society billions in future health care costs and add to the strength of the nation's economy.  Healthy, physically active citizens also make better workers. Their employers and the national economy benefit from these employees through lower rates of absenteeism and higher rates of productivity than their less active and less healthy colleagues.

College students benefit from participating in Active Living as part of their general education or college core requirements for two reasons:

1. Active Living courses are beneficial to the individual.  These courses develop positive attitudes toward physical activity and fitness, increase fitness knowledge, slightly increase actual participation in physical activity and lead to better individual health.
2. Active Living courses are beneficial to society.  The fitter and healthier graduates produced through required Lifetime Fitness courses will be healthier, more productive citizens.  Healthier workers produce economic benefits such as less absenteeism, higher rates of productivity, and lower health care costs.