Hungarian schoolchildren have been characterized as displaying low physical activity and a high percent of body fat. The Hungarian educational system looks for the solution to this serious social problem in the school physical education program. An evaluation of the existing PE curriculm was warranted to determine if changes are necessary. Special attention was given to relative load (based on heart rate response) that the children were subjected to during PE classes practiced by the official Hungarian PE curriculum. The aim of the study was to analyse the changes in heart rate during four different units of various types [1) track and field, 2)artistic gymnastics, 3) mixed, 4)games] of PE classes. A total of 721 volunteer girls and boys in the six grades of elementary school (average grade age ranged between 7.4 and 12.2 years) were tested during 112 PE classes from 10 different schools in Győr. Heart rate was continuously recorded by the Polar Accurex Plus monitor. Average pulse was recorded as well as the percent time in each class spent over 140 and 160 bpm. The average heart rate responses within the three parts of classes warm up, main part and games, cooling down were compared within the four types (1-4) of classes. The warm up phase of the classes produced an average HR ranging 134-148 bpm, the main part 149-157 bpm and the cool-down ranged 129-143 bpm. The highest average heart rate was during the track and field type class, and the lowest in artistic gymnastics, however the differences between the mean heart rates were significant in all the four possible comparison. No significant differences were found between the exercise heart rates of the two genders and grade levels. The percentage class time spent over 140 bpm and 160 bpm averaged 12.12% (sd =5.3%) and 9.3 (sd=4.7) respectively for all classes combining genders. With the total class period averaging 40 minutes, the actual time engaged in moderate (> 140 bpm) and high (> 160 bpm) are approximately 4.8 and 3.7 minutes respectively. The low level of physical activity levels of Hungarian children can be attributed in part to this structure of the PE classes. Is is concluded that while the PE class provide an adequate load, the duration of the load is short. Modifications to the existing PE curriculum should focus on extending the duration of the load and reviewing the type of physical activity. Keyword(s): elementary education, international issues, physical activity