To read the opening paragraph of the Star Tribune's editorial regarding physical education and graduation requirements is to be reminded how out of touch and out of focus our educational and editorial leaders are ("Don't let gym class prevent graduation," Sept. 10).

"A Minneapolis high school student who wants to attend an Ivy League school may need to load her schedule with advanced courses, leaving little time to fulfill the district's physical education requirement. … Too often Minneapolis students have had trouble earning their diplomas because the district required two semesters of physical education."

That statement reflects the "more content, less learning" philosophy that has become standard in our education system. Could it be that students have trouble graduating because their schedules are crammed full of AP history, English and math, not leaving them any time to be active?

Any physical educator knows that to make their course relevant to today's young people, the course has to be engaging, dynamic, and not focused on floor hockey. It must focus on lifelong physical activity, and I applaud the Minneapolis School District for its efforts on Fitness for Living. However, rather than creating alternatives for physical education, we should all be more focused on getting our kids more active, not less.

The state of activity among young people is poor, and with each passing day more research is published documenting the beneficial outcomes of exercise. Regular physical activity reduces hyperactivity, improves health and enhances learning. Just recently, research has been published showing that regular physical activity can ameliorate the impact of drinking sodas sweetened with artificial sweeteners. Exercise is medicine.

Each and every day, thousands of Minnesota students sit in their seats while cramming their schedules with courses that will hopefully get them into a "good" college. Little do they know that all of that sitting is killing them, and that with a bit of physical activity their chances of earning those grades they so dutifully seek would improve.

So rather than blame physical education on holding students back, perhaps we should encourage three  semesters of physical education. It would do a world everyone a world of good.


Mark Blegen is chair of the Department of Nutrition and Exercise Sciences at St. Catherine University in St. Paul.