Analysis of motivation towards sports practice in students of Primary Education in Galicia: A descriptive study

Abstract

The current technological revolution has benefited the development of the human being. However, sedentary lifestyle has increased, and consequently, health problems, such as childhood obesity. The combination of physical activity with appropriate educational strategies are the most effective tools to fight against childhood obesity. But it is necessary to take into account the motivation towards the practice of physical exercise to generate the necessary adherence to generate healthy lifestyles and increase the effectiveness of the programs. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the reasons for sports practice of students in grades 5 and 6 of Primary Education according to gender and age in 4 Galician schools. 163 students between 10 and 12 years old, of which 80 were boys (49.07%) and 83 girls (50.07%) covered the questionnaire of the Self-Report of Motives for the Practice of Physical Exercise (AMPEF) and the results obtained showed differences statistically significant in the gender factor in weight and body image (p = .022), competition (p < .001), muscular strength and endurance (p = .001) and health urgency (p = .037). Schoolchildren show a motivation for the practice of activity influenced by weight and body image, competition, muscular strength and endurance, these motivations being greater in boys, and the urgency of health in girls.

Keywords

• motivation
• physical activity
• primary education
• health
• ampef