Learning in Physical Education and Health in Chile: a qualitative study of the curriculum from 7th grade to 2nd grade

Physical Education in Chile in recent years has shown an epistemological tendency towards a biomedical and behaviorist paradigm associated with physical condition performance. This is to the detriment of a more comprehensive view that includes the epistemological contributions associated with constructivism, motor competence, corporal expression, comprehensive sport, and the socio-critical approach. In this context, this study was developed with the general objective of understanding the implicit meanings of the official Chilean curriculum of Physical Education and Health from the seventh grade to the second year of secondary school. A qualitative research methodology was applied, with a hermeneutic and documentary design. The documentary sampling consisted of four official ministerial documents. The data were subjected to an inductive content analysis in the Atlasti 22 software. The results show a lack of clarity in the progress of learning at different school levels. They also show a performance focus on physical condition, an excessive generalization of learning, an externalization of Physical Education and an overload of pedagogical goals. It is concluded that it is pertinent to reflect on a reformulation of the learning objectives in the subject and to consider the contributions of the new epistemological tendencies of the subject, as well as a more practical, constructivist and critical curricular rationality.