Introduction

Regular physical activity among children and adolescents is important because it is necessary for normal growth and development, and of great importance for their well-being and health, both in childhood and later life. Moreover, regular physical activity is important for social development and physical activity also has a value in itself. On the basis of a lengthy debate concerning the importance of children’s physical activity and young people’s health and well-being and associated policy documents, an amendment to the provisions of the Education Act was adopted on 1 August 2009. The provisions of the Education Act § 1-1a refer to children’s need for physical activity:

“Pupils in years 5 – 7 should have regular physical activity in addition to that included in the subject physical education. This should constitute in total 76 hours in years 5 to 7, cf. distribution of subjects and hours. The physical activity should be organised so that all the pupils, regardless of their level of ability, will be able to experience happiness, coping, fellowship and variation in their school day.”

Facilitation of physical activity in schools as described by the provisions of the Act should also meet the recommendation of the health authorities of a daily minimum of 60 minutes of physical activity for children and adolescents at a moderate to high intensity level.The change presents a major challenge for schools with regard to resources, lesson planning and expertise among staff. The study programme will meet schools’ need for such expertise and aims to provide personnel responsible for the facilitation of physical activity in schools with a professional qualification which complies with the provisions of the Education Act and the recommendations of health authorities concerning children’s and young people’s physical activity.

Target Group and Admission Requirements

The target group for this study programme are people who work with physical activity in schools, including teachers, physical education teachers and staff and assistants in formal after-school activity programs for schoolchildren (SFO). Admission requirements are general qualifications.

Curriculum and structure

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean