Physical education and health: moving forwards or ‘going round in circles’?

Alfrey, Cale and Webb (2012a) conducted research to explore and also try to explain physical education teachers’ experiences, views and understandings of health within physical education, inclusive of their professional development. This article provides a summary of this study and draws on and reports selected findings from this initial paper, as well as wider literature, to debate the role, contribution and effectiveness of physical education and physical education teachers in the delivery of health. A number of observations and issues are highlighted and these are used to address the question: is physical education making progress and moving forwards in this area?