Determinants of Participation and Non-Participation in Physical Education Classes of Secondary School Students

Abstract

The aim of the research is to explore the opinions of students from secondary schools in Biała Podlaska on the subject matter of Physical Education classes. The authors decided to check to what extent these classes meet the students’ expectations and whether they constitute any encouragement to undertake physical activity in their free time. The study used a diagnostic survey method with a questionnaire consisting of 23 questions. In this way, 383 responses were collected.  The research showed that only 32% of the students participate in PE lessons systematically. For 36% of the respondents, the most frequent reason for skipping PE lessons is lack of desire and motivation. 73% of the students rated the conditions for physical activity at their school as good or very good. 85% of the students undertake physical activity in their free time. The research results point to the fact that the students emphasise too little variety in physical activities offered during PE classes. The research shows that the reason for the lack of willingness to actively participate in Physical Education classes may be the mismatch between the forms of physical activity and the interests of students. There is a further need to diagnose this phenomenon in order to adjust PE curricula so that both more and less active students’ needs are addressed.