The purpose of this paper is to describe the characteristics and development of physical education in the programmes of the international baccalaureate (IB), especially in middle years programme (MYP) out of three IB programmes.
MYP offers courses which combine eight subjects with five “areas of interaction" based on three fundamental concepts. As a part of the subjects, MYP physical education does not just let students participate in sports and games. The primary aim of MYP physical education is to encourage the development of “intelligence performer" and to encourage students to understand the importance of a balanced healthy lifestyle.
Although the aims of MYP physical education seem to have in common with those of physical education in Japan, it is not easy to find a consistency in curriculum and assessment between Course of Study in Japan and MYP physical education.