Physical education Physical education (often abbreviated Phys. Ed. or P.E.

) or gymnastics (gym or gym class) is a course taken during primary and secondary education that encourages psychomotor learning in a play or movement exploration setting. Education in the care and development of the human body, stressing athletics and including hygiene.

In most educational systems, physical education (PE), also called physical training (PT) or gym in less progressive settings, is a course in the curriculum which utilizes learning in the cognitive, affective and psycho motor domains in a play or movement exploration setting. In the United States, it is almost always mandatory for students in elementary schools, and often for students in middle schools and high schools. Wellness Physical education programs serve as a guide for students to engage in a lifetime of healthy choices. Students learn the importance of physical activity and how to engage in appropriate exercise programs. Nutrition, safety and other wellness-enhancing materials are taught in order to get students to start thinking about their health and the importance of leading a healthy, active lifestyle. Obesity Prevention With over 95 percent of children enrolled in the public or private school systems, physical education classes are providing children with the fundamentals of exercise and nutrition. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, physical activity, nutrition and gym classes directly correlate with a child's academic performance. Physical education classes inform students of the risks associate with childhood obesity and provide children with a chance to be active during the day. Skill Development Physical education classes strive to help students develop motor, movement and rhythmic development, according to the West Virginia Department of Education. Students learn body awareness and spatial awareness. They also learn expression, creativity and rhythm. Students develop locomotor skillsincluding running, skipping, hopping, jumping, sliding and leaping. Students also develop non-locomotor skills -- including pushing, pulling, twisting, bending, stretching, turning, rising, reaching and falling. Additionally, students learn how to throw, kick, strike, roll and catch. Social Development Physical education provides more than just exercise for students. Students learn communication skills and how to work together as a team. They learn the characteristics of being a leader and how to be a good sport, win or lose. Learning respect for others is another important aspect of physical education. Students learn to congratulate each other and to shake hands at the end of an event.