This text is designed to help the reader develop an understanding of the socio-cultural foundations of developmental physical activity as they relate to the developing profession of physical education and educational sport. These "foundations" all lead in the direction of developing a better understanding of "life and living". Such understanding should be of the past as well as the present. Additionally, it should continue on as we peer into an unknown future. The place of physical education and educational sport, art and music in the curriculum is once again being questioned. There will undoubtedly have to be a continued struggle to explain that a sound programme of developmental physical activity in exercise, sport, and related expressive movement for normal, accelerated, and special populations of all ages should be included in life planning and programme execution for all people. The author is absolutely convinced that (1) the quality of life can be enhanced in this way, and (2) that regular exercise can indeed help us to live longer.

Author Biography

Earle F. Zeigler, professor/dean emeritus at The University of Western Ontario since 1989, is in his 60th year of service to the fields of kinesiology, physical education, recreation and (educational) sport. He is a past president of the American Academy of (Kinesiology and) Physical Education in 1981-82, having been elected as a Fellow in 1966. He is also a past president (1974-75) of the Philosophic Society for the Study of Sport (now the International Society for Sport Philosophy). From 1983-85 he was Vice-President, Communications of the Canadian Association for Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (and was also a Vice-President for Recreation earlier in 1955-56). In the mid-1980s he worked with a small group to establish the North American Society for Sport Management, and was named Honorary Past President in 1986-87.