Physical Education Class Climate and Adolescent Girls' Physical Activity

• In Event: Research on Learning and Instruction in Physical Education Poster Session

Abstract

Middle school girls demonstrate lower levels of physical activity than adolescent boys. This community engaged research project was an explanatory mixed-methods study designed to understand the impact of offering an alternative physical education curriculum with an emphasis on fun, student choice, and minimal competition on middle school girls’ physical activity participation levels in physical education class.
Both quantitative and qualitative findings suggest that girls are more likely to participate if they have choice in activities or they perceive the activity to be fun. Overall, both girls and boys met the recommended 50% moderate to vigorous activity time during physical education class throughout the program implementation.

Authors

• Misti Mueller, Virginia Commonwealth University

• Michael A. Hemphill, University of North Carolina Greensboro