Humiliation in physical education class can cause a lifetime of inactivity

One humiliating experience in physical education class can put off a child from fitness for the rest of his/her life, according to a University of Alberta researcher.

Billy Strean, a professor in the U of A's Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, said that a negative lifelong attitude towards physical activity can be determined by either a good or a bad experience, based on the personal characteristics of the coach or instructor.

For example, negative experiences may come from a teacher who has low energy, is unfair and/or someone who embarrasses students.

In the research, Strean heard from individuals who opened up about negative experiences with coaches and instructors, some from many years ago.

"I am a 51-year-old-woman whose childhood experiences with sports, particularly as handled in school, were so negative that even as I write this my hands are sweating and I feel on the verge of tears. I have never experienced the humiliation nor felt the antipathy toward any other aspect of life as I do toward sports,” wrote one study participant.

Strean hopes to raise awareness of such experiences so that those who instruct children in sport will realize that they have the ability to create either a fun and playful experience or an experience of humiliation.

He also has tips for coaches and teachers, including putting attention on fun, connecting with friends and learning, and, until kids enter their teens, minimizing attention on outcomes.

Strean also found study participants had better experiences from minimally organized games such as street hockey, compared to the more organized activities.

He suggested that adults try not to over-organize sports and allow the children to explore sporting activities on their own, with minimal rules and no scorekeeping.