ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the past, critically discusses the present, and offers some thoughts on possible futures for physical education. It provides a brief historical narrative of physical education in order to both ground and contextualizes how the past can help us make sense of where present practices have emerged from. The chapter draws some present and prevalent practices found in contemporary forms of physical education and critically discusses each in turn. It outlines what perceived as possible futures for physical education, and considers any potential problems or benefits if they are to be realised and actualised. The chapter particularly focuses on three well-known historical periods: Ancient Athens; the Middle Ages and the Reformation; and the twentieth century. The broad conceptual approach is concerned with identifying themes that have prevailed throughout the history of physical education.
