Concepts of Health in the training of Physical Education teachers

a curricular analysis of two Physical Education Licentiate courses at federal universities in Rio de Janeiro

Abstract

In this study, we start from the understanding that the physical education teacher is at the interface between the areas of education and health and that, therefore, the discussion on the themes "health" and "health promotion" are essential for their training and practice teachers. We seek to understand what health conceptions are present in Physical Education training in Physical Education Licentiate courses. Therefore, the general objective of this research is to analyze the concepts of health present in the formation of Physical Education in the undergraduate courses at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro – (UFRJ) and Fluminense Federal University (UFF). This is a qualitative study based on the analysis of the Curriculum Course Project of two undergraduate PE courses. From this analysis, we identified that in the conceptual aspects, the two projects have guiding elements that aim at the formation of a critical teacher, capable of understanding social issues and transforming this reality. These principles are articulated with the Health Promotion perspective in an approach to health as a social value. However, when materializing this discussion in the curriculum, the subjects that would address health are located in the biological axis. Finally, it is important to incorporate into teacher education the understanding of the health-disease process as a social value, as well as the critical debate on health promotion.

Key Words: Teacher Training. Health. Physical Education.