The Status of Physical Education in Wyoming's Colleges and University: Has a Quintessential Physical Activity Program Been Identified?

Abstract

College and university students undergo many stressors that negatively affect their academic performance and health. Physical activity is a well-known treatment for stress, yet it is reportedly falling out of favor as a required component of physical education in the curricula of many institutions of higher education. Recent research has examined several states' curricular offerings and requirements to better assess the status of physical education across America. This study examined the standing of physical education in Wyoming's colleges and university to compare to the recently published data. The specific graduation requirements and course offerings of each institution were analyzed. Of Wyoming's nine traditional higher-education institutions, all nine (100%) offer physical education courses, and three (33%) mandate physical education as a graduation standard for all undergraduate students. Another two (22%) institutions have physical education as a mandate, either as a general education choice or as a requirement within a specific discipline. While these results do not reflect the current trend of declining interest in physical education in the American academe, longitudinal research over the coming years is needed to see if this pattern persists. More research is needed in other states to better understand the true status of physical education in higher education, especially given that physical activity is an efficacious treatment for distress and its associated ailments.