Implementing Daily K-12 Physical Education in the United States
Date of Award
Summer 6-11-2025
Document Type
Non Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Coaching and Athletic Administration
Department
Kinesiology
Abstract
Despite growing awareness of the health crisis facing American youth, daily physical education remains under prioritized in schools across the United States. This paper argues that the current structure of the U.S. education system fails to support the full integration of physical activity, despite mounting evidence linking daily physical education to improved health, cognitive function, and emotional regulation. While obesity rates and related chronic diseases continue to rise, the educational system has not effectively responded by embedding physical activity as a core element of the school day.
Research shows that physical activity supports not only healthy body weight, but also significantly improves markers of mental health, attention, and academic performance. Yet these multifaceted benefits are rarely considered in decision making around curriculum design, which remains driven largely by test performance metrics. This research proposal investigates the implementation of daily physical education in American schools and examines how these barriers contribute to broader public health issues.