OUTDOOR PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASSES IN THE EDUCATIONAL CONTENT OF LATVIAN AND FOREIGN SCHOOLS

In Latvia, the conduct of outdoor physical education classes is influenced by both the climate and the challenges of the learning process, therefore, conducting the physical education classes outside the school premises (outdoors) is a topical and challenging subject. The purpose of this literature review is to: 1) find out the benefits of organizing physical education classes outside the school premises (outdoors), 2) find out what is the regulatory framework of the outdoor physical education classes would be in general education schools in Latvia and abroad, 3) compare the status of Latvian and foreign outdoor physical education classes in the educational content of schools. Results: conducting physical education classes outside the school premises (outdoors) provides benefits in the following groups of benefits – learning benefits, health, environment. Compared to other countries, outdoor physical education classes in Latvia are possible, but not mandatory. There are countries where the status of outdoor physical education classes is lower, but in the Nordic countries (Finland, Sweden, Estonia, Norway) the status of outdoor physical education classes is the highest, and conducting such physical education classes is especially encouraged.