Educação Física. A saga de uma profissão: Contributos dos congressos da Federação Brasileira das Associações de Profissionais de Educação Física para a definição e afirmação profissional.

Abstract

The present investigation uncovers the journey of the Physical Education profession based on a trajetory of association, considering from its process of legitimacy until its process of regulation. It compiles these processes since the commencement of the Federação Brasileira das Associações de Profissionais de Educação Física (FBAPEF - Brazilian Federation of Physical Education Professionals Associations) and its Associações de Profissionais de Educação Física - APEFS (Physical Education Professionals Associations), until the foundation of the Conselho Federal de Educação Física - CONFEF (Federal Council of Physical Education) and the Conselhos Regionais de Educação Física - CREFS (Regional Councils of Physical Education). The theoric content of this investigation contains references regarding the origins and the development of Physical Education, the association as support to the construction of a body spirit, the Congresses held by FBAPEF and their contribution to the regulation of the profession, the elements of the Sociology of the Professions, the process of professional regulation and the foundation of CONFEF. The empirical investigation was carried out through a meticulous document analysis related to the many phases of the association, with emphasis in the contributions made by the Federation congresses, which were hence detailed. Statements by the presidents of APEFS and FBAPEF were analyzed, and the profession spokespeople and the presidents of CREFS and CONFEF were interviewed, which required a rigorous content analysis. The methodological option of the investigation was eminently qualitative and by the end of the investigative process, it is possible to affirm that there was a strong unity of thought. Based on the results obtained, the regulation of the profession proved itself to be the most important and essential achievement for the progress of physical education in Brazil, which was driven by the process of professional association organization of this category. The professionalization process was then disclosed, introducing the achievement of new spaces of work that were provided by the consolidation of the bachelor's degree in Physical Education. The designation "Physical education professional" was fortified in another acquisition that is the Code of Ethics. Keywords: PHYSICAL EDUCATION, ASSOCIATION, PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION, PROFESSIONALIZATION, PROFESSION REGULATION.