Principles and Forms of Physical Education
Schoolchildren's physical education is based on several key principles. First and foremost is maintaining an optimal physical activity regimen, which must fully cover the growing organism's biological need for movement. Classes must be systematic and comprehensive (with a gradual increase in workloads) and must rely on adequate hygienic support.
The system includes four types of training:
- Main: regulated physical education classes.
- Supplementary: activities during the school day (physical activity breaks during lessons, active games during recesses, a "sports hour" in extended-day groups, health days).
- Elective: extracurricular activities in sports clubs aimed at health correction or improving fitness levels.
- Independent: individual workouts, hikes, family games, swimming in the pool.
Various means are used to achieve results: from classical physical exercises and natural locomotion to massage, personal hygiene, and natural factors.
Assignment to Medical Groups
Annually, following a medical examination, the pediatrician assigns each student to one of three groups. This allows adapting the workload to the actual functional capabilities of the body.
- Main group. This includes completely healthy children or schoolchildren with minimal morphofunctional deviations and excellent physical fitness. They follow the full program, pass all physical tests, and can attend sports sections and competitions without restrictions.
- Preparatory group. Formed of children with minor health issues and low physical fitness. They master skills gradually, avoiding excessive loads. They pass only a portion of the tests. Additional training in general physical training (GPT) sections or hiking trips is strictly permitted with a doctor's permission and under daily activity monitoring.
- Special medical group (SMG). Intended for students with serious diseases (temporary or permanent) who are nevertheless cleared for the educational process. An individual program is developed for them, taking into account the specifics of the pathology.
Organization of Classes and Group Transfers
In practice, classes for the main and preparatory groups are conducted together. However, for children from the preparatory group, the teacher is required to reduce the overall intensity: decrease the number of repetitions, limit strength elements, and substitute fast running with walking or light jogging. Students in the special medical group train separately — outside the main schedule grid.
Enrollment in the preparatory or special group is not lifelong — it is given for a specific period. As soon as the child's health condition improves, they are transferred to a group with higher requirements.
Important aspect: after recovering from an illness, children return to regular classes but receive a temporary exemption from physical education, the duration of which is determined solely by the attending physician.
Sanitary and Hygienic Environmental Requirements
Psychophysiological comfort during studies is regulated by the document SanPiN 2.4.2.1178-02. Its main task is to exclude environmental factors capable of harming the health of schoolchildren.
The document strictly regulates all aspects of educational infrastructure:
- Parameters of the land plot and arrangement of equipment in the building.
- Structure and density of the educational schedule.
- Air and thermal regime indicators (ventilation, heating).
- Levels of natural and artificial illumination in classrooms.
- Quality of water supply, sewage, and nutrition.
- Organization of the medical unit and general sanitary condition of the premises.
To memorize the three medical groups, use the acronym "OPS": Osnovnaya / Main (healthy, full workload), Podgotovitelnaya / Preparatory (weak baseline, partial restrictions), Spetsialnaya / Special (significant pathologies, separate program outside the schedule).
Class and exam questions
Who makes the decision on enrolling a child in a particular medical group?
This is handled by the school pediatrician. The decision is made based on the results of the mandatory annual medical examination.
How do students from the preparatory group attend classes?
They attend general classes together with the main group, but receive a reduced workload. They have a reduced number of repetitions, limited strength exercises, and intense running is replaced with walking.
Who determines the duration of exemption from physical education after an illness?
Temporary exemption for schoolchildren returning to studies after recovering from an illness is issued exclusively by the attending physician.
Is complete exemption from physical education useful in chronic illnesses?
No, long-term exemption is strongly discouraged. A lack of movement brings no benefit and only accelerates the progression of existing pathological deviations.
What else to study on this topic
- Criteria for dosing physical loads in classes separately for grades 1–4, 5–9, and 10–11.
- Development of specialized physical education programs for the special medical group.
- Medical control over the daily volume of physical activity in case of health deviations.
- Detailed hygienic requirements for the air-thermal regime and lighting (SanPiN 2.4.2.1178-02).
- Methods of student self-monitoring during socially useful labor and walks.
Master the entire topic in the "Hygiene" course
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Other topics in "Chapter 10. Basics of Child and Adolescent Hygiene"
Prepared by WhiteCoat Pro faculty in accordance with the medical school curriculum. For educational purposes only.