Diverse community members engaging in physical activities.

Bridging the Gap: How to Transform Public Health with Physical Education

Lena Kashyap in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 5 min read.

"Uncover the challenges and opportunities for physical education professionals in reshaping public healthcare, and how a new approach to training can lead the way."

In an era increasingly focused on preventative healthcare and community well-being, physical education professionals (PEFs) are poised to play a pivotal role. However, a significant gap exists between their training and the realities of public health service, hindering their potential impact. This article delves into the challenges and opportunities faced by PEFs in the public health sector, exploring how a modernized approach to education and practice can transform healthcare outcomes.

Drawn from research conducted with PEFs working within Rio Grande do Sul's public health network, this analysis examines the disconnect between academic preparation and the demands of real-world application. The study highlights the need for PEFs to not only possess a strong foundation in exercise science but also to understand the social determinants of health, community engagement strategies, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

The integration of PEFs into public health initiatives, such as community health centers, family health programs, and mental health services, is rapidly expanding. Yet, to truly leverage their expertise, a paradigm shift is needed—one that moves beyond traditional, biologically focused training to embrace a holistic, community-centered model. This article will explore this shift and offer insights into how to better equip PEFs to become transformative agents of change within the public health landscape.

Navigating the Public Health Maze: Training Gaps and Real-World Readiness

Diverse community members engaging in physical activities.

Many PEFs find themselves entering the public health arena with limited prior exposure or specific training in this area. Traditional physical education programs often emphasize exercise physiology and sports science, sometimes overlooking the crucial aspects of public health policy, community needs assessment, and interprofessional collaboration. This lack of preparation can lead to feelings of inadequacy and a reliance on on-the-job learning, potentially limiting their effectiveness.

The study revealed that PEFs often don't recognize the tools their graduate programs provided or that they had little opportunity to test and hone their practical application. Instead, they largely attribute their competence to workplace experience and the benefit of post-graduate training which ultimately allowed for a more strategic approach to working in line with the policies and expectations of the Unified Health System (SUS).

Here are key competencies PEFs need to thrive in public health:

Understanding of the Unified Health System (SUS) principles and guidelines.
Community needs assessment and program planning skills.
Effective communication and collaboration techniques for interdisciplinary teams.
Knowledge of health promotion strategies beyond traditional exercise prescriptions.
Advocacy skills to address social determinants of health.

To bridge this gap, a fundamental shift is required in physical education curricula. Programs need to move beyond the conventional focus on individual fitness and sports performance to incorporate a broader understanding of public health challenges and community-based interventions. By integrating practical experiences, interdisciplinary coursework, and community engagement opportunities, PEFs can be better prepared to meet the diverse needs of the populations they serve.

The Future of PE in Public Health: A Call for Transformation

The integration of physical education into public health represents a significant opportunity to improve community well-being and address pressing health challenges. However, realizing this potential requires a commitment to transforming physical education curricula and fostering a new generation of PEFs equipped with the knowledge, skills, and mindset to thrive in this dynamic field.

By embracing interdisciplinary collaboration, community engagement, and a holistic approach to health, PEFs can become powerful agents of change, promoting health equity and improving the lives of individuals and communities. It's time to move beyond traditional models and empower PEFs to lead the way in creating a healthier future for all.

This research serves as a call to action for educators, policymakers, and practitioners to rethink the role of physical education in public health. By addressing the training gaps and fostering a new generation of PEFs, we can unlock the full potential of this profession to transform healthcare and build healthier communities.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.5007/2175-8042.2014v26n43p133, Alternate LINK

Title: Educação Física E A Rede De Saúde Pública: Dilemas, Possibilidades E Desafios Entre A Formação E A Intervenção

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: Motrivivência

Publisher: Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC)

Authors: Márcia Fernanda De Méllo Mendes, Marielly De Moraes, Sabrina Chapuis De Andrade, Cristianne Maria Famer Rocha

Published: 2014-11-12

Everything You Need To Know

What is the evolving role of Physical Education Professionals (PEFs) in public health?

The role of Physical Education Professionals (PEFs) in public health is evolving to focus on preventative healthcare and community well-being. They are becoming integral to community health centers, family health programs, and mental health services. This shift requires PEFs to adopt a holistic, community-centered model, moving beyond traditional, biologically focused training. The significance lies in PEFs' potential to transform healthcare outcomes by addressing community needs.

What are the key training gaps that Physical Education Professionals (PEFs) face?

The training gaps primarily involve a disconnect between the academic preparation of Physical Education Professionals (PEFs) and the practical demands of public health service. Traditional programs often emphasize exercise physiology and sports science, sometimes overlooking crucial aspects such as public health policy, community needs assessment, and interprofessional collaboration. These gaps can lead to PEFs feeling unprepared and relying on on-the-job learning, which may limit their effectiveness in the field.

What are the crucial competencies needed by Physical Education Professionals (PEFs) to succeed in public health?

To thrive in public health, Physical Education Professionals (PEFs) need key competencies, including an understanding of the Unified Health System (SUS) principles and guidelines, community needs assessment skills, effective communication for interdisciplinary teams, knowledge of health promotion strategies beyond exercise prescriptions, and advocacy skills to address social determinants of health. These competencies enable PEFs to effectively navigate the complexities of public health initiatives.

How can physical education curricula be improved to better prepare Physical Education Professionals (PEFs)?

A fundamental shift in physical education curricula is required to bridge the gap. Programs need to move beyond the conventional focus on individual fitness and sports performance to incorporate a broader understanding of public health challenges and community-based interventions. Integrating practical experiences, interdisciplinary coursework, and community engagement opportunities can better prepare Physical Education Professionals (PEFs) to address the diverse needs of the populations they serve.

What is the significance of integrating Physical Education Professionals (PEFs) into public health initiatives?

The integration of Physical Education Professionals (PEFs) into public health represents a significant opportunity to improve community well-being and address pressing health challenges. Realizing this potential necessitates a commitment to transforming physical education curricula and fostering a new generation of PEFs equipped with the knowledge, skills, and mindset to thrive in this dynamic field. The implications involve improving community well-being through preventative healthcare and community-focused programs.