Experiences of physical education and its contribution toward sport and physical activity
Year: 2016
Type: dissertation
Abstract: : Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to acquire knowledge about 15-16-year-old\ngirls’ experiences and attitudes toward physical education, and to see if they perceived the\nsubject to have any impact on their sporting participation or their physical activity in leisure,\nwith possibility to strengthen PE’s role as a health promoting arena. Methods: A single case\nstudy conducted in an elementary school southeast in Norway. Data was collected by eight\nfocus-group interviews, with a total of 35 ‘sporty’ girls in 10th grade, as well as short\nquestionnaires in front of the interviews, which mapped their background information. The\nlast step of the process was conducted with a thematic analysis with an inductive approach.\nFindings and conclusion: The findings showed a diverse range of experiences of the subject,\nbut it mainly emerged positive attitudes toward PE. The PE teacher was emphasized as\nsignificant relative to all aspects concerning the subject. It was not found any contribution of\nPE to affect sports participation, either to start or continue with sports, as primary and\nsecondary socialization involving family and friends were the most common contributor for\ndeveloping a sporting habitus, and also their sports participation. There was though found a\nrelationship from sports to PE, as those who engaged in organized youth sport in leisure were\nmore physically and mentally prepared for PE. The girls’ perceptions of PE’s impact on PA in\ntheir leisure were varied, but suggested that there is a relation between the two, especially\nduring the personal exercise period. PE teachers do not fulfil their expected roles as\ncontributors toward inspiring to physical activity.\nKey words: Physical education, youth sport, physical activity, girls, PE teachers, public\nhealth
Author: Julie Slapø Moe
Language: English
Subfield: Education
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2511630389