Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 2
Physical Activity for Healthy Living
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Physical Activity for Healthy Living
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Subject: Physical Education Health Elective
Class: SHS 2
Term: 1st Term
Week: 19
Grade code: 2.2.1.LI.2
Strand code: 2
Sub-strand code: 1
Content standard code: 2.2.1.CS.1
Indicator code: 2.2.1.LI.2
Theme: Physical Education
Subtheme: Physical Activity for Healthy Living
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This lesson explores the various reasons why people either stick to a physical activity plan or give up. We see people in our communities start jogging or join a keep-fit club with great enthusiasm, but after a few weeks, many stop. Why does this happen? Understanding these factors is crucial for us as individuals to maintain a healthy lifestyle and for future health professionals to help others do the same. This knowledge will empower learners to create sustainable personal fitness plans and understand the health challenges within their own communities in Ghana.
Introduction (5 mins) *Teacher's Activity:* Begin with a quick "Think-Pair-Share" activity. Ask students: "Think about someone you know (maybe even yourself) who started exercising but then stopped. What reasons did they give for stopping?" *Learner's Activity:* Learners think for 30 seconds, discuss with a partner for 1 minute, and then share some ideas with the whole class. *Expected responses:* "No time," "I got tired," "My friends stopped going," "The gym is too expensive," "It was boring."
*Teacher's Activity:* "Excellent! All these reasons are what we call 'factors'. Today, we are going to explore these factors in detail. The goal is not just to start exercising, but to *adhere* to it. Adherence simply means sticking to a plan or commitment over a long period. Let's understand what helps or hinders our adherence to physical activity." Main Content Explanation (20 mins) "There are many factors that influence our ability to adhere to physical activity. We can group them into three main categories to make them easier to understand: Personal, Social/Cultural, and Environmental factors."
A. Personal Factors (Factors within yourself)
These are internal characteristics and individual choices that affect your participation. Motivation: This is your inner drive. Are you exercising to lose weight, to improve your football skills, because your doctor told you to, or just for fun? Facilitator (Helps you stick to it): *Intrinsic motivation* (doing it for enjoyment and personal satisfaction) is a powerful tool for long-term adherence. For example, you love the feeling of energy after a morning jog. Barrier (Makes you stop): If your only motivation is external (e.g., preparing for an inter-schools competition), you might stop exercising once the competition is over. Self-Efficacy: This is your belief in your own ability to succeed. Do you believe you can actually complete a 30-minute workout? Facilitator: High self-efficacy means you are confident. If you believe you can learn to swim, you are more likely to keep going to lessons even when it's difficult. Barrier: Low self-efficacy makes you give up easily. If you think, "I'm not the sporty type," you are likely to quit at the first challenge. Time Management & Perceived Lack of Time: This is one of the most common barriers. Barrier: A WASSCE student might feel they have no time for sports because of extra classes and studies. A market woman who wakes up at 4 am and closes late may find it genuinely difficult to find time. Facilitator: A person with good self-management skills can schedule short, 20-minute workouts into their day, proving that 'lack of time' can sometimes be overcome with planning. Enjoyment: If you don't like the activity, you won't do it for long. Barrier: Forcing yourself to run if you hate running will likely lead to quitting. Facilitator: Finding an activity you love, like dancing (Azonto, Adowa), playing Ampe with friends, or joining a local football team, makes it feel less like a chore and more like fun. Health Status & Knowledge: Your current health and your understanding of the benefits of exercise are key. Barrier: An injury (e.g., a knee problem) or a chronic illness can limit participation. Lack of knowledge about how to exercise safely can also be a barrier. Facilitator: A person recently diagnosed with high blood pressure may be highly motivated to adhere to a walking plan prescribed by their doctor.