Longitudinal Study of Students' Attitudes Toward Physical Education Grades 4–8

• In Event: Roundtable Session 27
  In Roundtable Session: Researching Students' Attitudes, Teachers' Beliefs, and Field-Based Interventions in Physical Education

Abstract

Physical education is a place to teach about lifelong physical activity. Students’ attitudes have been identified as a factor in deciding to keep active. A longitudinal study investigating attitudes of three cohorts of students across three years yielded results confirming that attitudes for upper elementary aged students were positive and then decreased for students in middle school beginning with the transition from 5th-6th grade. Eighth grade girls reported significantly less positive attitudes than 8th grade boys. Interventions targeted at increasing students’ attitudes toward physical education could contribute to students adopting a physically active lifestyle.

Authors

• Kevin Mercier, Adelphi University

• Anne Gibbone, Adelphi University

• Corinne Donovan, Adelphi University

• Kimberly Rozga, Adelphi University