Evolution of Physical Education over twenty years: exploring life histories in pre-service teacher education

Abstract

Introduction: Life histories provide insight into the type of PE students experienced throughout their primary and secondary schooling.

Objective: The aim of this study is to analyse the characteristics of recent Physical Education (PE) and the potential changes it has undergone over the past twenty years.

Methodology: Life histories were employed as the data collection method, and the sample consisted of 34 second‑year students enrolled in the Primary Education Teaching Degree.

Results: The findings reveal two differentiated patterns. In Primary Education, PE was characterised by content focused on motor play and basic physical skills, alongside a certain variety of lesson structures. Assessment tended to prioritise effort and attitude, and for part of the sample it was considered their favourite subject. In Secondary Education, however, physical‑training models predominated, with sport as the central content, directive teaching methodologies, and traditional assessment approaches based on fitness testing; theoretical lessons and written examinations were also common.

Discussion and conclusions: The comparative analysis indicates that several aspects of PE appear to have changed substantially over the past two decades, including the increased prestige of the subject in Primary Education, the emergence of learning‑oriented lesson structures, and the normalisation of theoretical content in Secondary Education. Conversely, other features have changed little, such as the persistence of traditional assessment and grading practices and the continued dominance of sport‑based content.