idrottstimmar

Idrottstimmar is a Swedish term used in schools to denote the number of hours in the timetable allocated to the subject idrott och hälsa (physical education and health). The concept is used in school planning and policy discussions to indicate how much time students spend on physical education.

In Sweden, physical education is a required part of the curriculum in grundskolan (compulsory school) and gymnasiet (upper secondary school). The national core curriculum sets aims and goals for idrott och hälsa, but it does not prescribe a uniform nationwide timetable. The actual number of idrottstimmar is decided by schools and municipalities within the national framework. Lesson lengths typically range from about 40 to 60 minutes, and many schools schedule one to three idrottstimmar per week, depending on age and local timetabling.

The purpose of idrottstimmar is to contribute to students’ physical fitness, motor skills, health knowledge, safety in sport, and social and cooperative abilities. The content covers movement competence, conditioning, health education, and participation in a variety of physical activities.

Implementation varies by school. Some institutions have dedicated PE periods in the timetable, while others integrate physical activity into other parts of the day or offer extra sessions as part of health education or after-school programs. Accessibility and inclusion are important considerations, with adaptations for students with disabilities or special educational needs.

Overall, idrottstimmar reflect how schools balance time for physical education with other academic subjects and how regional policies influence resource allocation and scheduling. See also idrott och hälsa, Skolverket, grundskolan.