Investigating the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic in Swedish Physical Education

Abstract: The emergence of the new corona virus (Covid-19) in the world has shaken many parts and aspects of our society. Sources have shown that due to the fear and panic caused by the outbreak of Covid-19, many countries have implemented lockdown measures. Schools in several countries have been closed as a result of Covid-19. In Sweden, however, the situation has been handled differently. Primary schools and lower secondary schools have stayed open, while some upper secondary schools stayed open for some time before they turned to online teaching. This investigation examines the effects the Covid-19 pandemic has had on Physical Education (PE). Specifically, the purpose of this study is to investigate how the teaching of PE in Sweden has been affected by Covid-19. Data were generated through online interviews. Seven primary and lower secondary school PE teachers took part in this study. The Deleuze-Guattarian concept of ‘becoming’ along with the concept of ‘precarity’ have been used to analyze and interpret the data in this study. The results indicate that there have been major changes in the context and content of the PE subject. PE lessons have been moved outdoors and important activities, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and swimming, have been postponed as a consequence of Covid-19. Hygiene routines, such as changing clothes and showering before and after PE, have also been removed in the subject. The duties of PE teachers today also involve cleaning equipment in order to control the spread of the virus. The results also revealed how some PE teachers have moved away from using physical contact in their lessons.