Following the World Health Organization definition we define health as
"the state of complete physical and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease. We see health as a resource for living; a positive concept that emphasizes personal and social resources, and physical capacity."Our Mission
Our mission of the Faculty of Physical Education and Health is to develop, advance and disseminate knowledge about physical activity, health, and their interactions through education, research, leadership, and the provision of opportunity. “Physical activity” includes exercise, sport, dance, and play.How does the Faculty fulfill its mission?
The Faculty provides students with a strong background in the behavioural, biophysical, and socio-cultural bases of physical activity and health, and the skills necessary for a lifetime of learning and leadership in a rapidly changing world. We also equip our graduates with the ability to take up the major social challenges facing the profession, especially the challenge of diversity within the domain of physical activity.
In addition to the BPHE degree program in physical and health education, the Faculty offers MSc and PhD degree programs in exercise sciences as well as co-curricular programs, services and facilities for all University of Toronto students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members.
Through its ongoing research, the Faculty contributes to the development and dissemination of both basic and applied knowledge relating to physical activity and health.
Members of the faculty also contribute to the strengthening of professional and community associations.
Our mission is fulfilled through curricular (academic) and co-curricular (activity and service-based) programming. We are a teaching health centre where research and teaching are linked to the delivery of many of the co-curricular programs and services.
Significant Contributions
- injury prevention and rehabilitation
- improvements in water safety
- training of high performance athletes
- occupational stress reduction
- improvements in teaching
- understanding of exercise and mental health
- exercise and the immune function
- gendering of sports
- mass media presentation of the body