BACKGROUND: Physical education (PE) can be considered an instrument for active lifestyle promotion, and PE teachers can motivate youths to continue their studies in the field of Movement Sciences (MS). METHODS: To evaluate the role of PE in higher secondary school in promoting physical activity (PA) and MS careers, previous PE experiences and current PA practice were investigated in a sample of Italian freshmen enrolled in different university degree courses. RESULTS: A total of 7033 questionnaires were completed by students from 14 universities (41.3% males, mean age 20 ± 2.76 years). Recreation seemed to be the principal aim (42.2%) pursued during PE lessons, which are based mainly on practical activities (51.7%). Of all respondents, 67.2% were satisfied with the PE received during higher secondary school, and 51.6% participated in extracurricular PA. Current practice of PA was reported by 58.1% of the sample. Extracurricular activities were associated with choice of MS curricula (odds ratio: 2.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.85-2.50) and with current practice of PA (odds ratio: 1.68, 95% confidence interval, 1.51-1.87). Geographical differences concerning lessons organization and satisfaction were registered (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: To enhance its role in health promotion, PE teaching should be improved by increasing the time allocated to PE and by strengthening the provision of school-based extracurricular PA.
Investigating the Role of Physical Education in Physical Activity Promotion: An Italian Multicenter Study / Gallè, Francesca; Onofrio, Valeria Di; Barbone, Fabio; Brandi, Giorgio; Calimeri, Sebastiano; Carraro, Elisabetta; Carraturo, Federica; Dallolio, Laura; De Meo, Concetta; De Santi, Mauro; Fantuzzi, Guglielmina; Fortunato, Francesca; Gorrasi, Ilaria; Guida, Marco; La Milia, Daniele Ignazio; Leoni, Erica; Lo Giudice, Daniela; Minelli, Liliana; Napoli, Christian; Parpinel, Maria; Pasquarella, Cesira; Prato, Rosa; Romano Spica, Vincenzo; Signorelli, Carlo; Tafuri, Silvio; Valeriani, Federica; Liguori, Giorgio. - In: JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY & HEALTH. - ISSN 1543-3080. - STAMPA. - 13:8(2016), pp. 854-860. [10.1123/jpah.2015-0452]
Investigating the Role of Physical Education in Physical Activity Promotion: An Italian Multicenter Study
DALLOLIO, LAURA;LEONI, ERICA;
2016
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Physical education (PE) can be considered an instrument for active lifestyle promotion, and PE teachers can motivate youths to continue their studies in the field of Movement Sciences (MS). METHODS: To evaluate the role of PE in higher secondary school in promoting physical activity (PA) and MS careers, previous PE experiences and current PA practice were investigated in a sample of Italian freshmen enrolled in different university degree courses. RESULTS: A total of 7033 questionnaires were completed by students from 14 universities (41.3% males, mean age 20 ± 2.76 years). Recreation seemed to be the principal aim (42.2%) pursued during PE lessons, which are based mainly on practical activities (51.7%). Of all respondents, 67.2% were satisfied with the PE received during higher secondary school, and 51.6% participated in extracurricular PA. Current practice of PA was reported by 58.1% of the sample. Extracurricular activities were associated with choice of MS curricula (odds ratio: 2.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.85-2.50) and with current practice of PA (odds ratio: 1.68, 95% confidence interval, 1.51-1.87). Geographical differences concerning lessons organization and satisfaction were registered (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: To enhance its role in health promotion, PE teaching should be improved by increasing the time allocated to PE and by strengthening the provision of school-based extracurricular PA.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
