Constructing Health and Physical Activity Knowledge in Practice: Teachers’ and Students’ Experiences

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine teacher and student experiences in physical education when taught by teachers with high health-related fitness knowledge (HRFK): How did they construct this knowledge for students and share it with students in their teaching? Method: Four teachers and 16 of their students were interviewed. Results: Three themes emerged from the data: (a) HRFK sources of teachers and students, (b) teacher- and student-constructed HRFK in the instructional setting, and (c) students’ transfer of physical activity and HRFK to their daily lives and to those around them. Conclusion: The study showed that when teachers had ample health and physical activity knowledge and transfer this knowledge to their students by designing holistic learning experiences using effective pedagogical approaches, students tended to value lifetime physical activity participation. These students were also able to influence those around them (coaches, family, and friends) to be conscious of their own health and physical activity behaviors.