Changing Trends & Career in

Physical Education
Changing trends in Physical Education have increased its importance, as modern
physical education stresses the balanced development of body and mind.

Table of Contents
 Changing Trends & Career In Physical Education
 Meaning & Definition
 Aims & Objectives
 Development of Physical Education in India – Post Independence
 Changing Trends In Sports
 Playing Surface, Wearable Gears, Sports Equipment, Technological Advancement
 Career Options In Physical Education
 Khelo India Programme
 Components of Khelo India
 Fit India Movement
 Objectives of Fit-India Movement

Meaning & Definition

Physical education is an important part of general education. It involves physical
activities which help to achieve wholesome development of individuals.

It helps to develop total personality related to the physical, mental, social, and
emotional development of individual education

Physical education helps to develop good health and leads the man towards
progress and wellness. It leads to balanced development.

J. B. Nash: “It is the field of education which deals with the big muscle activities
and their related responses”.

R. Cassidy: “Physical education is the sum of changes in the individual caused by

experience involving motor activity”.

Delbert: “Physical education is the sum of those experiences which comes to the
individual through movement”.

Aims & Objectives

Aim
The aim of Physical Education is optimum wholesome qualities development in a
person. It emphasizes the balanced development of physical, mental, social,
intellectual, and emotional behavior.

J.F.Williams: ” Aim of Physical Education is complete living through Wholesome

development of human personality”.

Objectives

To achieve the ultimate aim there are many objectives which are as follows:

Physical Development:

Our body is a kind of machine which grows and develops with regular physical
activities. Physical development develops our neuromuscular responses which
lead to maximum organic development.

Thus, regular physical activities must be performed to develop optimum growth

and development.

Psychological Development:

Psychological development is related to positive thoughts, ideas, behavior,

attitude, conduct, responses, etc. This improves the psychological balance of an
individual.

This objective enables a person to overcome any challenges.

Social Development:

Physical Education programs provide good opportunities and practical experience

to develop social processes.

By participating in sports and games a player follows the rules, regulations,

traditions, and laws of society.

They develop Qualities like friendship, honesty, sincerity, tolerance, adjustment,

leadership, etc.

Emotional Development:

It is an important part of the optimum development of a man’s personality.

Emotions like love, hate, anger, aggressiveness, anxiety, etc must be expressed
in a controlled manner. Physical Education provides good opportunities to practice
these.

Development of Physical Education in India

– Post Independence
After gaining independence in 1947, India started on a journey of progress and
started development across various sectors, including education and sports.

The development of Physical Education in post-independence India has been a

part of this growth.

1. Establishment of Sports Authorities:

After Post-independence, the Indian government recognized the importance of

sports and physical fitness in building a healthy nation. To develop Physical
Education, various sports authorities and organizations were established.

The Sports Authority of India (SAI) was established in 1984, which played a pivotal
role in promoting sports and nurturing talent across the country.

2. Integration of Physical Education in Schools:

One of the important steps taken to promote Physical Education was integrating it
into the school curriculum. Both State governments, and the central government,
made efforts to include sports and physical activities in the education system.

This move aimed to instill the importance of fitness and sportsmanship among
students from a young age.

3. National and International Sporting Events:

India actively participated in various national and international sporting events

after independence. The country hosted the Asian Games in 1951 and 1982, and
Commonwealth Games in 2010, which provided a platform to showcase India’s
sporting power on the global stage.

The success and recognition garnered from these events fueled the nation’s
enthusiasm for sports and Physical Education.
4. Growth of Sports Infrastructure:

The government and private sector invested in developing sports infrastructure to

nurture talent and facilitate training.

Numerous stadiums, training centers, and sports academies were established

across the country.

This development led to better opportunities for aspiring athletes to showcase

their skills and compete at higher levels.

5. Recognition of Indigenous Sports:

India shows a rich cultural heritage with various traditional sports and games.
Post-independence, there was a renewed focus on recognizing and promoting
indigenous sports.

Efforts were made to revive and preserve traditional games like kabaddi, kho-kho,
and indigenous martial arts, showcasing India’s diverse sporting culture.

6. Success in International Sporting Events:

Over the years, India has witnessed remarkable success in international sporting
events. Indian athletes achieved notable victories in sports like cricket,
badminton, boxing, shooting, and wrestling, among others.

These achievements not only boosted the nation’s morale but also inspired the
younger generation to pursue a career in sports.

Changing Trends In Sports

Playing Surface, Wearable Gears, Sports
Equipment, Technological Advancement
(A) Playing surface

Throughout history, different sports happen and are played on various different
surfaces. The surfaces upon which a sport is played will have a significant impact
on the player’s experience.
Different surfaces have been used for different purposes; some will allow games
to be played under conditions that would otherwise render them unplayable and
others will provide a higher level of comfort for the players.

Many of today’s popular sports have been played for 100 years. Traditionally,
sports were played on natural gas surfaces. Maintenance of grass turf surfaces
involves different activities including mowing, irrigation, and control of weeds,
pests, and disease.

In 1960 some sporting organizations started using artificial pitches. Artificial plain
surfaces were created with the intent of increasing the durability and versatility of
the playing surfaces thereby enabling multi-sport use and providing an indoor
surface that was relatively easy to maintain.

But artificial grass has its limited downside: limited life, periodic cleaning
requirements, petroleum use, toxic chemicals from infill, and some heightened
health and safety concerns for children.

Artificial turf has gained recognition from several respected sporting bodies. The
areas in which improvement is needed include players’ comfort, the potential
impact on player health, and the visual and physical similarities to natural
pitches.

Once these issues have been tackled, synthetic sporting surfaces will probably
become more popular as their benefits will outweigh their weaknesses. They can
be used to boost your performance, provide a useful surface in difficult climates
and reduce the cost of maintenance.

(B) Wearable gears and sports equipment

In recent years, technology has had a gigantic impact on almost every aspect of
our society. Technology has touched everything: balls, bats, rackets, skates, even
wheelchairs.

Technology has entirely revolutionized the way apparel and equipment are
designed. From shoes and uniforms to gloves, helmets, and pads. Sporting
equipment is now more hi-tech and high-functioning.

I. Wearable gears: Wearable Technology has changed the way sports are
evaluated. Today. We are not depending on human eyes to make judgments in
the movement. Thanks to the rise of everything from GPS trackers to RFID chips
with the help of which Sports officials can calculate scores with instant, impartial
and quantifiable data.
There are many types of wearable technology in sports. Smartwatches are
popular with both professional athletes and amateur fitness enthusiasts, and they
are suitable for a wide range of activities that can make use of calorie, step,
distance, pulse, and heart rate tracking.

Other, more specialized wearable technology examples include things like smart
clothing. These items can be designed with specific activities in mind. For
example, runners can invest in shocks that are built with a textile pressure sensor
that will calculate whether they are striking with their heels or the balls of their
feet.

Advanced medical technology can take the form of everything from smart rings to
sensor-field shirts and leggings. There are even head-mounted displays that can
be built into helmets to keep race car drivers in radio contact with their pit crews.

The benefits of wearable technology in sports are numerous. Not only can they
track health and fitness data to optimize athletic performance, but they can also
be used to prevent injuries by identifying danger zones and predicting risky
movements or patterns. When used by sports officials, they can also ensure
accuracy during games, matches, and performances.

Technology in sports science has grown quite sophisticated and high-end fitness
products can count steps, measure heart rates and even deliver
electrocardiogram results to linked smartphones. Innovators are constantly
pushing the boundaries of what their products can do.

(C) Sports Equipment:

When designing sports equipment, the design has to enhance performance, be

user-friendly and be safer in order to beat out previous competitors. Some of the
equipment which has changed or improved in design have been mentioned
below:

Clothing: In swimming, earlier nylon and lycra were used which enable swimsuits
to be more form-fitting and less water absorbent. Now new suits are being
developed to reduce drag and increase performance.

In other sports new clothing is being designed to wick sweat away from the body
by evaporation instead of absorbing it.

Shoes: Lighter and flatter track shoes are designed to find the perfect balance of
optimal grip and comfort. Through years of testing and experience, athletes and
sports scientists have worked to find the perfect blend of lightweight shoes and
optimal grip that allows an athlete to hit the corners harder and faster.

Tennis Racquets: Earlier wooden rackets were used. In the 1960s, metal rackets
were introduced which increased racquet lifespan and stiffness although not
increased weight. In the 1980s wooden rackets became obsolete and brands
instead made graphite rackets which became lighter and lighter also improving
performance.

Protective Equipment: From helmets to cleats, new technology in sports

equipment has revolutionized the way that manufacturers keep athletes safe from
injury. Helmet manufacturers have produced helmets with technologically
advanced materials to produce safe and more comfortable helmets.

(C) Technological Advancement:

Technology has taken over today’s modern world. Many professional and amateur
sports bodies have embraced new technology to protect athletes, engage fans,
track world records and make it easier to officiate the games.

From the wearable sports technology market to the heightened fan experience at
sporting events, the future of sports is increasingly digital. Some of the
technological advancement that has been introduced is given below:

I. Instant Replay: Instant replay is an example of the remarkable technology

being used in sports today. With this technology, officials are able to slow down
and reexamine what happened during a play, which provides a much-needed
second perspective for controversial sports moments.

Instant replay is used in games like baseball, football, cricket, rugby, and soccer.
It is even used in combat sports and mixed martial arts.

II. Sensor Tools: Sensor tools are often used to analyze whether a goal is valid.
They are also used in cases where the naked eye cannot truly tell if a ball went
past the goal line or if a player committed a foul or other offense.

Different sports use varying sensor tools. For example, cricket’s Hawk-eye
technology analysis is used to determine if the ball smashed into the bat before it
was caught.

III. Timing System: When timing a race, the stopwatch has been replaced by
more accurate timing systems; this means that differences in reaction time no
longer affect the precision and consistency of racing events.
IV. RFID Chips: This is one of the best examples of technology in sports. RFID
chips are used to time individual contestants in an event. They are tiny devices
with build-in antennas that relay wireless signals to tracking stations. RFID chips
are often used in long-distance races to help broadcasters and viewers track the
exact location of contestants during a race.

V. Equipment Development: One of the biggest improvements in sporting tech

is smart helmets. New helmet technology offers sensor and magnet tech built-in,
which is able to detect and disperse force, thus decreasing the chances of head
injury.

Career Options In Physical Education

By doing Physical Education courses, people can become:

1. Teaching or Coaching

A career in sports has been mainly focused on teaching and coaching in schools,
colleges, and universities.

Teachers are involved in teaching and organizing physical activity programs

based on theory and practical syllabus of health and physical education,
extramural and preparation of teams.

Coaches are potentially sportspersons or players with talent in fundamentals,

techniques, and rules of competitive sports or games.

Coaches are responsible for the overall preparation, and performance of teams.
Coaches are also employed in government-run centers, sporting clubs, holiday
resorts, etc., for special sports. Some may also be self-employed in their own
sports training centers.

2. Dietician

They plan the diet for a player or a team so that they eat proper and balanced
food according to their physical work. In the present time, dieticians are
considered an important part of modern spas, beauty parlors, and also in
hospitals, and health centers.

3. Sports Medicine Physician

The sports-related injuries are different in nature. Sports Medicine Physicians can
give better treatment to sportspeople after understanding the seriousness of
sports-related injuries.

A good sportsperson can become a better physician. It is the duty of the sports
medicine physician to cure the sportsperson so as to enable him/her to come back
to the mainstream.

4. Sports Administration Related Careers

An administrator in sports can be a Sports Director, Sports Officer, Head of

Department, General Manager, Executive Director, Supervisor, etc. The areas that
they take care of are related to finance, scheduling equipment, facilities, public
relations, and many more.

They also undertake the responsibility of implementing curriculum, monitoring

staff, office, managing sports information, scholarship and promotion, supervision
of coaches and various competitions, organizing conferences, etc.

5. Performance Related Careers

Performance-related careers in sports are of two types, one is professional

performers in sports, and the second is sports officials.

The sports performers play as an individual or in a team for organizations on a

contract or on a payroll basis either for a specified period or otherwise.

Sports officials like referees, umpires, judges, etc., officiate the match or
tournament on a contract or on a pay-roll basis either for a specified period or
otherwise.

6. Communication Related Careers

Sports communication includes sportswriter, sports editor, sports publisher, sports

photographer, painter/ artist, broadcaster, sports information director, sports
statisticians, etc.

i. Sports Writers

There is a separate section devoted to sports in all the newspapers, magazines,

periodicals, bulletins, etc. For writing these sections, sportswriters are required.
The job of a sports writer is to cover the stories related to the vast world of sports
on the basis of performance, team selection, policies, management, results, and
other related matters to write a sports column.

ii. Sports Publishers

Sports Publishers are responsible for all the publication units including the quality,
content, sales, and promotion of books, etc. As there are various textbooks,
coaching books, sports magazines, audio-visual material, journals, and
periodicals, the publication also has reputed value as a career in sports.

iii. Photography

As the scope of photography in sports is not very vast, people may opt for it as a
part-time/full-time career in sports. Individuals with artistic ability, skill, and
experience in painting and drawing sports events can choose this profession.

iv. T.V. or Radio Reporters

The duties of broadcasters are to present sports programs on T.V. or radio live
from the stadium or playfield. They also present commentary summaries, reviews,
and sports news on T.V. and radio. Sometimes they anchor special sports
programs, do interactions or take interviews with sports personalities.

7. Sales and Management Related Careers

This profession includes sports marketing executives, sports events managers,

and sports competition organizations associated with sports equipment, material,
etc. The ability to interact with customers and convince them that the product or
event is suitable for their needs.

Physical education also helps in opting for other careers such as defense, para-
force, police service, etc.

Khelo India Programme

Sports and fitness in one’s life have a big importance. By playing sports one can
inculcate team spirit, and develop strategic & analytical thinking, leadership skills,
goal setting, and risk-taking.

A fit and healthy individual leads to a healthy society and a strong nation. Sports
and games are a very important component of the overall development of our
nation. Over the last few years, India has made steady progress in the field of
sports which needs to be showcased on a global platform.

It is the time we must inspire young talent, and give them top-notch infrastructure
and training of the highest level. We need to inculcate a habit of participation in
sports that enables players to demonstrate their true potential.

The Khelo India programme has been introduced in the year 2017-18 by the
Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs. It revives and develops the sports culture in
India at the grass-root level by building a strong framework for all major sports
played in our country.

Talented players identified by the High-Powered Committee will be provided

annual financial assistance of INR 5 lakh per annum for 8 years. In the Khelo India
School Games, which are a part of the Khelo India program, under-17 athletes
participate across 16 disciplines,

16 disciplines are Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Football,

Gymnastics, Hockey, Judo, Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Shooting, Swimming, Volleyball,
Weightlifting, and Wrestling.

Components of Khelo India

Following are the components of Khelo India:

 Playfield Development
 Geo-tagging of playfields and sports infrastructure.
 Community coaching development
 State-level Khelo India centers
 Annual sports competition
 Talent search and development
 Utilization and creation / up-gradation of sports infrastructure
 Support to Nationals/Regional/ State sports Academies
 Physical Fitness of school going, children
 Sports for women.
 Promotion of sports among a person with a disability
 Sports for peace and development
 Promotion of rural and indigenous/ tribal games

Fit India Movement

Fit-India Mission encourages people to become part of the Fit India Movement by
inculcating at least 30-60 minutes of physical activities in their day-to-day lives.
The mission of the Movement is to bring about behavioral changes and move
toward a more physically active lifestyle. Towards achieving this mission, Fit India
proposes to undertake various initiatives and conduct many events.

FIT-INDIA Movement was launched on 29th August 2019 by the Honourable Prime
Minister with a view to making fitness an integral part of our daily lives.

Objectives of Fit-India Movement

 To promote fitness as easy, fun, and free.
 To spread awareness on fitness and various physical activities that promote
fitness through focused campaigns.
 To encourage indigenous sports.
 To make fitness reach every school, college/university, panchayat/village,
etc.
 To create a platform for citizens of India to share information, drive
awareness, and encourage sharing of personal fitness stories.

Competitions in Various Sports

At National And International level

Athletics
National Athletics Championship: Every year Athletics competitions are
organized by the Athletic Federation.

Inter-State Athletic Championship: Participants from different states are

participating in this competition, organized by the Athletic Federation of India.

State Athletic Championship: Participants from various districts, take part in this
championship every year, organized by the State Athletic association.

Inter-University Athletic Championship: This national-level championship is

organized by various universities for university students.

World Athletics Championship: This world athletic championship organizes after

every two years, organized by the International Association of Athletics Federation
(IAAF). The next championship will be in the USA in 2022.

Basketball
Senior & Junior National Basketball Championship: This championship is
organized by the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) for men and women every
year. State Basketball Championship: Organised by State Basketball Association
every year for men and women.
Other championships are:
Olympic games
European cup, Asia cup, BC Gupta Trophy, Federation cup, etc.

Badminton
There are many Badminton Championship held, which is organized by the
Badminton World Federation (BWF) and Badminton Association of India (BFI)

World Cup, Thomas Cup, Uber Cup, European Cup, China Cup, World Junior
Championship, Olympic games, All England Championship, National Badminton
Championship.

Cricket
There are many Cricket Championships held at the National and International
levels, which are organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

World cup, Asia cup, Ranji Trophy, CK Naidu Trophy, Duleep Trophy, Irani Trophy,
etc.

Football
Many international and national football championships are held regularly, which
are organized by the Federation International Football Association (FIFA) and All
India Football Federation (AIFF).

World cup, European Cup, Subroto Cup, Federation Cup, Santosh Trophy, I
League

Hockey
International and national hockey championships are organised by International
Hockey Federation (FIH) and Indian Hockey Federation (IHF).

Aga Khan Trophy, Champions Trophy, Bombay Gold Cup, World Cup.

Swimming
The International Swimming Federation and Swimming Federation of India
organize many swimming championships every year.

World Swimming Championship, National Swimming Championship, All India Inter-

University Swimming Championship, etc.

Lawn Tennis
International and National Tennis championships are organized by the
International Tennis Association and All India Tennis Association.

National Tennis Championship, Nehru cup Tennis, India Federation Cup, US Open,
Australian open, Devi’s cup.

Volleyball
International Volleyball Federation and Volleyball Federation of India organize
various tournaments.

World Volleyball Championship, Federation cup, Asia cup, Olympic Volleyball

Championship, Asian Games Volleyball Championship.