COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF STUDENTS` ATTITUDES TOWARDS PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND THEIR ENGAGEMENT IN EXTRACURRICULAR PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES

The aim of this study was to answer to the basic question: Whether and to what extent the engagement of students in extracurricular sports activities has an impact on the general attitudes towards PE? The study included male (N = 150) and female (N = 152) students. According to the self-reported frequency of physical activity during the week, outside PE, respondents were divided into three independent groups: lightly physically active (1 – 2 times per week; N = 69), moderately physically active (3 – 4 times per week; N = 153), and very physically active (more than 5 times per week; N = 80). For the purposes of this research, PEAS was used, which consists of 43 items, followed by a five-point Likert-type scale (1-strongly disagree – 5-strongly agree). The results showed that there were statistically significant differences between three groups in attitudes towards PE, Satisfaction, Comfort, Activity, and Teacher χ2(2) = 19.89, 17.10, 20.22, 23.78, and 7.19, respectively. Furthermore, Cohen`s d was moderate for Attitudes towards PE, Satisfaction, Comfort, and Activity (.50, .46, .51, .56), and small for teacher (.26). The differences between lightly (1 – 2 times per week) and moderately (3 – 4 times per week), and lightly and very (more than 5 times per week) physically active groups were significant. In conclusion, we can state that the overall attitudes of the students included in this research are strongly positive. Furthermore, students who are more active in extracurricular sports activities had more positive attitudes towards physical education classes.