DOI: 10.38007/978-1-80053-555-8

In an era where global educational reform is focusing on cultivating core competencies, physical education, as a crucial vehicle for the fundamental task of moral education, is undergoing a profound transformation from traditional skills instruction to holistic education. As society’s demands for the quality of talent cultivation continue to rise, the physical education model centered solely on athletic skills training and physical fitness testing is no longer adequate to meet the needs of the new era for the comprehensive development of young people. The concept of core competencies provides clear theoretical guidance and a practical framework for the reform and innovation of physical education, propelling it from a purely physical education model to a comprehensive model that integrates physical, mental, and character development, thus clarifying its position and highlighting its value within the overall education system. 

This value reconstruction of physical education is not accidental, but rather an inevitable result of the combined effects of educational development laws, societal needs, and individual growth requirements. From a global perspective, UNESCO’s concept of physical literacy, emphasizing the comprehensive qualities individuals need to utilize physical abilities, sports knowledge, and emotional attitudes in different situations to achieve a healthy life, provides important reference for physical education reforms in various countries. Countries around the world are incorporating competency-oriented elements into their physical education curriculum standards, emphasizing the coordinated development of athletic ability, health awareness, and moral character, thus forming unique development paths for physical education. In China, based on local educational realities and the characteristics of adolescent development, core competencies in physical education are clearly defined as a three-dimensional structure encompassing athletic ability, healthy behavior, and sportsmanship. These three aspects are interconnected and mutually reinforcing, jointly constituting the core objective of physical education. Athletic ability, as the foundation, covers the cultivation of athletic skills, tactical application, and performance abilities, serving as a prerequisite for individual participation in sports activities. Healthy behavior focuses on the development of lifestyle habits and the enhancement of risk awareness, being key to achieving lifelong health. Sportsmanship concerns the shaping of moral character and the development of social adaptability, representing the core value of physical education. This three-dimensional structure not only echoes the global trend of physical literacy development but also fully integrates with China’s educational goals, providing a solid theoretical foundation for curriculum restructuring, teaching reform, and evaluation innovation in physical education. 

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