A negative phys ed teacher can cause a lifetime of inactivity

Everybody who has told me they hate math has traced it back to a teacher they had.
Unfortunately, teaching, like other "helping" professions, attracts power-freaks, in addition to those who are genuine helpers.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-01/uoa-anp010610.php

Public release date: 6-Jan-2010
Contact: Carmen Leibel
University of Alberta
A negative phys ed teacher can cause a lifetime of inactivity

Humiliation in physical education class as a child can turn people off fitness for good, according to a University of Alberta researcher.

Billy Strean, a professor in the U of A's Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, says a negative lifelong attitude towards physical activity can be determined by either a good or a bad experience, based on the personal characteristics of the coach or instructor. For example, negative experiences may come from a teacher who has low energy, is unfair and/or someone who embarrasses students.

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One study participant wrote, "I am a 51-year-old-woman whose childhood experiences with sports, particularly as handled in school, were so negative that even as I write this my hands are sweating and I feel on the verge of tears. I have never experienced the humiliation nor felt the antipathy toward any other aspect of life as I do toward sports."

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Strean also found study participants had better experiences from minimally organized games such as street hockey, compared to the more organized activities. He suggests adults try not to over-organize sports and allow the children to explore sporting activities on their own, with minimal rules and no scorekeeping.