title: Health and physical education as an important part of school curricula: a comparison of schools for the deaf in the Czech Republic and the United States.
abstract: The authors describe and compare how physical education classes and healthy lifestyle concepts are taught in selected Czech and U.S. schools for the deaf. Professionals who participated in the study included principals and teachers employed by 4 schools for the deaf. Data from schools were collected during the summer and fall semesters, and subsequent interviews were conducted with the principals and physical education teachers. Unique characteristics were exhibited by each of the 4 schools. The settings for extracurricular physical and sports activities varied by school type (residential or nonresidential). Findings indicated that the general trend in physical education has changed from a focus on sports performance to health-promoting activities. There were opportunities for teachers to revise curriculum programs to further promote the health and academic success of students who are deaf or hard of hearing.
authors.affiliation: Center For Kinanthropology Research, Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kurkova
authors.forename: Nanci
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Scheetz
authors.forename: Jiri
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stelzer
mesh_terms: D012048:Correction of Hearing Impairment; D003479:Curriculum; D018153:Czech Republic; D003638:Deafness / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004032:Diet; D060345:Education of Persons with Hearing Disabilities; D015444:Exercise; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D019986:Persons with Hearing Disabilities / Q000523:psychology; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States