LE3 .A278 2009

2009

Dodge, Ann

Acadia University

Bachelor of Kinesiology

Honours

Kinesiology

Kinesiology

Over 64% of females between the ages of 12-19 are physically inactive in Canada (Gibbons &Gaul, 2004). Physical Education has the potential to promote healthy lifestyles, to positively impact and contribute to physical activity levels of students, and to provide meaningful learning and social experiences for adolescents. However, studies have shown that female participation levels start to decrease in Physical Education as early as grade 4. Research shows that female participation in Physical Education declines from grade 7-9. This exploratory study investigates what influences female participation in Physical Education. Fourteen female grade nine students from a rural junior high school were interviewed regarding their experiences in Physical Education and physical activity. Results highlighted that female participation in Physical Education is heavily impacted by the enjoyment students experienced. Enjoyment levels impacted feelings of competence and were a factor in the activities Physical Education class provided. Participants specifically discussed their preference for participating in activities in which they excelled. Competence was impacted by the level of physical activity outside of school and how physically active their families were. Most participants discussed a preference for co-educational Physical Education class, with many discussing either the negative or positive impact of the competitive nature of males in Physical Education class.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:629