Kinesiology and Physical Education Curriculum Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards defining fundamental kinesiology concepts, subdisciplines, professional fields, and the historical/legislative framework of physical education in Puerto Rico.

Kinesiology

The academic discipline that studies physical activity, human movement, and its impact on health, society, and overall quality of life.

Kinésis

The Greek root word meaning 'movement', which forms the etymological basis for kinesiology.

Physical Activity

Intentional and voluntary human movement directed toward achieving a specific goal.

Exercise

A planned and structured subcategory of physical activity performed to improve or maintain physical fitness, performance, health, or physical appearance.

Physical Fitness

The capacity to perform daily tasks with vigor and alertness, without experiencing extreme fatigue.

Sport

Movement activities requiring specialized motor skills, organized rules, and competitive context.

Exercise Physiology

A scientific subdiscipline of kinesiology that studies how bodily structures and biological functions adapt to physical activity and exercise.

Movement Biomechanics

A field within kinesiology science that applies the principles of mechanical physics to analyze and evaluate human motion.

Motor Learning

The study of the internal cognitive and neural processes involved in acquiring, refining, and retaining motor skills through practice.

Motor Development

The continuous changes in motor behavior across human life stages resulting from interactions between biological maturation and environmental factors.

Sport Psychology

The branch of kinesiology that examines psychological factors, mental performance, and behavioral patterns in sport and physical activity settings.

Athletic Trainer

A certified healthcare professional skilled in injury prevention, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, and therapeutic rehabilitation of active individuals.

Curricular Framework (Marco Curricular)

The official policy document of the Department of Education that compiles philosophical principles, conceptual bases, teaching methodologies, and K-12 core content.

Law 68 of 1990

The Organic Law of the Department of Education in Puerto Rico that established mandatory physical education for all students and mandated at least one specialist teacher per school.

Law 149 of 1999

Legislation expanding and replacing Law 68, stipulating that an individual's educational process is incomplete without physical education as part of comprehensive development.

Law 146 of 2000

Legislation establishing a minimum mandate of 3 hours per week of physical education, dedicated facilities, and 1 specialist teacher for schools under 250 students.

Carta Circular 2021

Department of Education policy circular guaranteeing a minimum of 3 weekly hours of physical education, 1 teacher per 250 students or fraction thereof, and integration of modern technology.

Law 8 of 2004

Legislation reorganizing the Department of Recreation and Sports (DRD) in Puerto Rico and establishing recurring funding for school and community sports massification.

Law 85 of 2018

Puerto Rico Educational Reform Law that incorporates standards of equity, civil rights, and mutual respect among human beings into the public school system.

Law 127 of 2025

Legislation amending Law 85-2018 to integrate baseball as an essential sport along with its foundational principles into the physical education curriculum.

Core Knowledge in Kinesiology

The foundational undergraduate framework comprising four main areas: importance of physical activity, scientific background, cultural/historical/philosophical dimensions, and practical applications.