Research on the Equity and Leadership in Physical Education-Challenges and Opportunities

Kaiming Han

doi:10.54254/2753-7048/2025.27509

Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public MediaOpen access

Research on the Equity and Leadership in Physical Education-Challenges and Opportunities

Research Article

Open Access

Research on the Equity and Leadership in Physical Education-Challenges and Opportunities

Kaiming Han ^1*

¹ Wuhan Sports University

^*Corresponding author: 3210621316@qq.com

Published on 2 October 2025

LNEP Vol.117

ISSN (Print): 2753-7056

ISSN (Online): 2753-7048

ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-361-1

ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-362-8

Download Cover

Abstract

This study investigates the equity issues in physical education (PE) and examines the role of leadership in addressing these challenges. Despite its significance for student development, PE faces substantial equity barriers, including gender discrimination, resource inequality, and cultural disparities. These issues directly impact student development and the overall educational environment. Using a comprehensive literature review and conceptual analysis, this study explores the multifaceted nature of equity in PE, highlighting the importance of leadership in creating inclusive and equitable PE environments. The study emphasizes the need for leaders to adopt deliberate and considerate approaches, including strategic planning, resource allocation, and professional development, to promote educational equity and enhance student participation. The findings provide actionable recommendations to improve the PE system and advocate for a more inclusive and supportive educational environment. Future research will integrate social surveys to offer more empirical data support and track the impact of educational policy reforms on PE practices in different regions.

Keywords:

physical education, PE, Education equity, Leadership

View PDF

References

[1]. Bailey, R., Armour, K., Kirk, D., Jess, M., Pickup, I., Sandford, R., & Education, B. P. (2009). The educational benefits claimed for physical education and school sport: an academic review. Research papers in education, 24(1), 1-27.

[2]. Santos, M. S., Perico, A., Groenewald, E., Groenewald, C. A., Kilag, O. K., & Ponte, R. (2024). Advancing Leadership in Physical Education: A Systematic Review of the Last Five Years. International Multidisciplinary Journal of Research for Innovation, Sustainability, and Excellence (IMJRISE), 1(2), 268-273.

[3]. Penney, D. (2012). Equality, equity and inclusion in physical education and school sport. In Sociology of sport and physical education (pp. 110-128). Routledge.

[4]. Evans, J., & Davies, B. (2012). Embodying policy concepts: 'Equity' and 'Inclusion' in physical education. Sport, Education and Society, 17(3), 353-370.

[5]. Azzarito, L., & Solmon, M. A. (2009). An investigation of students' embodied discourses in physical education: a gender project. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 28(2), 173-191.

[6]. Talbot, M. (2017). A gendered physical education: equality and sexism. In Equality, Education, and Physical Education (pp. 74-89). Routledge.

[7]. Bevans, K. B., Fitzpatrick, L. A., Sanchez, B. M., Riley, A. W., & Forrest, C. (2010). Physical education resources, class management, and student physical activity levels: A structure‐process‐outcome approach to evaluating physical education effectiveness. Journal of School Health, 80(12), 573-580.

[8]. Harris, J., & Penney, D. (2019). Gender equity policies in national governing bodies: An illusion or a reality? International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 54(4), 431-447.

[9]. McCaughtry, N., Martin, J., Hodges Kulinna, P., & Cothran, D. (2006). What makes teacher professional development work? The influence of instructional resources on change in physical education. Journal of In-Service Education, 32(2), 221-235.

[10]. Griffin, L. (2008). Leadership in sport and physical education: A review of relevant literature. Quest, 50(1), 93-107.

References

[3]. Penney, D. (2012). Equality, equity and inclusion in physical education and school sport. In Sociology of sport and physical education (pp. 110-128). Routledge.

[4]. Evans, J., & Davies, B. (2012). Embodying policy concepts: 'Equity' and 'Inclusion' in physical education. Sport, Education and Society, 17(3), 353-370.

[5]. Azzarito, L., & Solmon, M. A. (2009). An investigation of students' embodied discourses in physical education: a gender project. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 28(2), 173-191.

[6]. Talbot, M. (2017). A gendered physical education: equality and sexism. In Equality, Education, and Physical Education (pp. 74-89). Routledge.

[8]. Harris, J., & Penney, D. (2019). Gender equity policies in national governing bodies: An illusion or a reality? International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 54(4), 431-447.

[10]. Griffin, L. (2008). Leadership in sport and physical education: A review of relevant literature. Quest, 50(1), 93-107.

Cite this article

Han,K. (2025). Research on the Equity and Leadership in Physical Education-Challenges and Opportunities. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media,117,30-35.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

About volume

Volume title: Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Educational Innovation and Psychological Insights

ISBN: 978-1-80590-361-1(Print) / 978-1-80590-362-8(Online)

Editor: Kurt Buhring

Conference website: https://2025.iceipi.org/

Conference date: 20 August 2025

Series: Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media

Volume number: Vol.117

ISSN: 2753-7048(Print) / 2753-7056(Online)

© 2024 by the author(s). Licensee EWA Publishing, Oxford, UK. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license. Authors who publish this series agree to the following terms:

1. Authors retain copyright and grant the series right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this series.

2. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the series's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this series.

3. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See Open access policy for details).