Introduction to a Health-related Physical Education Curriculum Model in the United States : Sports, Play, and Active Recreation for Kids (SPARK)

미국의 최신 건강중심 체육교육수업의 소개 - Sports, Play, Active Recreation for Kids(SPARK) 체육프로그램 개발배경 및 사례보고 -

The purpose of this article is to introduce the Sports, Play, and Active Recreation for Kids (SPARK) physical education curriculum. SPARK is a model for health-related, research-based and evidence-based physical education programs in the United States. The outcome of school physical education can relate to public health, but there exists few evidence-based physical education programs reporting health-related variables. School physical education can provide more opportunities for children and adolescents to be physically active and to learn more about healthy lifestyles. However, physical education programs have been cut and eliminated due to lack of funding in the U.S. as in South Korea. Although facing these problems, SPARK programs have been implemented in over 50% of schools, after school programs and coordinated school health programs in the U.S. This article reviewed: (a) background information of the SPARK program, (b) examples of effective interventions, and (c) methods of dissemination to schools nationally in the U.S. The methods showed in SPARK may use as a model for researching, developing and implementing new physical education(PE) program and after school programs in Korea.