The impact of physical education on the mental and emotional health of primary students

Abstract

Emotional health in childhood is a crucial aspect of the students' overall development, as it directly influences their well-being. In this sense, school physical activities play a fundamental role in promoting a healthy environment and contributing to the development of social skills. The main objective of this study is to evaluate how these activities impact the emotional health of primary school students, determining the moods they experience after class and understanding their perception of this discipline. For this, a quantitative and descriptive approach was used with a non-experimental design and a cross-sectional cut. Two questionnaires were applied: the POMS, to measure mood states, and the CAEF, to assess attitudes towards the subject. The questionnaires were administered to a sample of 120 students, aged 8 to 13, from the Joel Monroy Basic Education School. The results indicate that physical education classes improve students' emotional health by reducing stress and fostering a cordial environment. Additionally, students show greater empathy and achieve holistic development in both physical and emotional skills. Therefore, the need to strengthen the subject with appropriate materials and specialized teachers is emphasized.