Abstract: Depending on literatures and historical analysis, the paper analyzes the influence of American Progressive Education represented by Dewey on America physical education. It is advocated in the concepts of progressive education that children are the center, schools are the society and people can learn by doing. Such concepts significantly influence the American physical education and destroy the old P.E system of the original contents of gymnastics as the content and medical treatment as the primary purpose, which leads to the gradual formation of the unique P.E. System f American characteristics. Wood's "new physical education" and Hetherington's "education through the body" have far-reaching impact on future generations.

Key words: progressive education, new physical education, Dewey, Wood, Hetherington