Changing Teaching Methods under the COVID-19 Pandemic for Generation Z Physical Activities: Gender Differences

Abstract

The beginning of Covid 19 and the establishment of restrictions to curb the development of the pandemic on the territory of Latvia have led to the changing of the lives of the youth, including their physical exercise and study habits and practices. This article investigates the role of physical activities training for young males and females and their choice of teaching platforms by different genders. The study methodology encompasses critical examination of previous research conducted on Generation Z, gender differences and the significance of physical exercise and sports in for the youth combined with statistical evaluation and assessment of primary survey data. Compare with previous articles this article is constituted by its identification of the way in which gender differences influenced changes in physical activity and in which attitudes towards healthy lifestyles and physical activity changed before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors of the study observed substantial differences between the answers of males and females about their health before and during the pandemic, with Independent Samples t-Test (p=0,03) and (p=0,025), which is likewise confirmed by the answers about the presence of depressive moods, which are more pronounced in females (p=0,004). In assessing the difference between males and females in the area of physical activities, differences were observed both before and during the pandemic (p=0,001) and (p=0,005), with females doing less physical activities than males both before and during the pandemic. To direct their physical activities, females are more likely to engage an instructor or attend training sessions via special platforms than males (p=0,001). In examining the most popular applications and platforms for teaching physical activities, no substantial difference was observed in their use between the two genders.