East and West: An Acculturation Process in Physical Education and Sport

Abstract

This study has shown an evolving acculturation process in which Eastern thought and practices have emerged in American physical education and sport, and has identified to what extent Eastern thought and practice have emerged in contemporary American physical education and how it may affect the direction of American physical education. Passing through a distinctive 'acculturation process' in different environmental and intellectual settings, Eastern ideas and practices have offered some significant motivations to the evolution of American physical education. It is apparent that to some extent Eastern thought and practice is now playing a role, as a catalyst, in directing a new paradigm for American physical education and sport over the past three decades. In this respect, they have contributed indirectly to contemporary theory and practice in American physical education. Of the three acculturation stages evident the process of Eastern emergence in American physical education, that of 'transformation' offers the greatest mode of development. Most importantly, however, the genuine impact that Eastern thought and practice have on American physical education and sport will depend upon whether physical educators and athletes accept, or at least try to better understand, various Eastern wisdoms as they relate to physical education and sport.