Fewer than a third of high school students receive recommended amount of PE

Students tend to either love or hate physical education classes in school. Despite how students may feel about the classes, physical education programs in schools directly benefit students’ physical health. However, recent data shows that students are not getting the recommended amount of physical education.

A 22 year analysis by the National Physical Activity Plan Alliance (NPAPA) shows that the number of US high school students participating in physical education haven’t declined much since 1995, but rates are well below national recommendations.

The analysis found that only 29.4 percent of students meet national recommendations for daily classes. The rate for daily participation dropped between 1991 and 1995. In 1995, the rate had dropped to 25.4% and has remained fairly consistent since then.

Other findings in the report found a decline in physical education as students advanced through school. Freshman were more likely to report any physical education than seniors. More boys than girls reported attending physical education classes.

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