Think back to middle-school physical-education class. You might break out in hives just recalling the experience, or you might remember the fun and games with fondness. Coed physical education and fitness provides key skills for both boys and girls, but coaches and educators need to think about the experience being provided carefully in order to do more good than harm.
Girls Benefit from PE with Boys
In a 2007 study, researchers at St. John's University evaluated the effects of a single-sex physical education class and a coed class on the girls' fitness level. Those enrolled in the single-sex class gained more body fat and performed more poorly on a shuttle-test post-study, while the girls in the coed class participated in more vigorous activity more often. While this study needs more support from additional research to determine causes, it appears that girls participating in coed physical-education classes benefit physically. In fact, the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports supports boys and girls playing together, starting at a young age in order to improve the comfort level and cohesion of both sexes. Enroll your child in swim team, tee-ball, youth soccer, or other coed sports activities, and encourage equal play for both boys and girls.
Equal Play
Both boys and girls should receive equal play in important roles or positions during coed fitness classes. If you're teaching flag football, switch off the quarterback position between boys and girls every other down or series. If you're conducting a lesson on baseball or softball, have a girl play pitcher, first base and shortstop in alternating innings. This way, both boys and girls will have the opportunity to contribute significantly to the game.
Intervene When Necessary
You can probably remember hearing the phrase, "Come on, don't let her have the ball, she throws like a girl!" As the adult in these situations, you need to immediately step in and address the situation. Girls have consistently proven themselves in athletic performance, and young boys sometimes need reminders that girls have earned their place at the athletic table. Even in less obvious cases of unequal treatment, notice the situation and take charge. During a game of basketball, if the boys consistently fail to pass the ball to female teammates, require at least five passes before every shot. Even the toughest guys will have a hard time avoiding passing the ball to an open girl if it's a requirement of play.
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