A Salutogenic Approach to Physical Education in Schools

Abstract

Schools are an excellent setting for health promotion in children and adolescents. In particular the school subject physical education (PE) offers high potential in this regard. The following paper applies the salutogenic model of Aaron Antonovsky to PE in schools. This approach focuses on strengthening the sense of coherence with its central factors, comprehensibility, manageability and meaningfulness. A high sense of coherence mobilizes generalized resistance resources, results in positive coping strategies and contributes to well-being and health. The presented modified and adapted salutogenic model of health for PE may serve as one element of a schools’ general concept for health promotion.