Comparison of Sports Habits and Attitudes in University Students of Physical and Sports Education of Mostaganem (Algeria) and Physical Activity and Sport Sciences of León (Spain).

Marta Zubiaur,Abdelkader Zitouni,Saray Del Horno

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.593322

Marta Zubiaur, Abdelkader Zitouni + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.593322

Copy DOI

Abstract

BackgroundIn their professional practice, teachers can exert a strong influence on students, promoting healthy habits for life through the example of their own lifestyle. The aim of this study was to compare sports habits and attitudes in Physical Activity and Sports Education students at the universities of León (Spain) and Mostaganem (Algeria).MethodsWe administered the “Motivations and Attitudes Toward Physical Activity and Sports” questionnaire (in Spanish MIAFD) to 125 Algerian university students from the Institute for Physical Education and Sport (age: 21.87 ± 2.51) and 122 Spanish university students (age: 22.98 ± 2.36) from the Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Science.ResultsChi-square tests showed significant differences (p < 0.001) with a large effect size (Cramer’s V: 0.650) in perceptions of sport and satisfaction with participation.ConclusionThe students from Mostaganem and Leon show many similarities, such as the number of female students in physical education and sport is quite small compared to male students. Both consider that universities should improve sports facilities to promote good practice. The practice of sports by our university students is far superior to that of students with other degrees, suggesting that they will set a good example of healthy habits once they enter their profession. Nevertheless, the participation of female Algerian students in sport was lower than that of Spanish students, and students at León showed more intrinsic motivation for participating in sport than their counterparts at Mostaganem.

Highlights

There is growing awareness in the West that doing sport and physical activity (PA) is important for health
The responses to items concerning participation in sport showed that 100% of the students enjoyed sport, and most, but not all, presented very high percentages of participation (88.7 and 89.5% of male students at Mostaganem and León, respectively, and 88.9% of female students at León, but only 57.14% of female students at Mostaganem)
We found that 100% of the Spanish students thought that sport and Physical Education (PE) should play an important role in life, in contrast to 37.9% of the Algerian students

Summary

Introduction

There is growing awareness in the West that doing sport and physical activity (PA) is important for health. Sevil et al (2018), analyze the differences, both in motivation and in PA practice since Self-Determination theory (Deci and Ryan, 1985), between high school and university students They found that the university transition meant a decrease in practice and a decrease in intrinsic motivation and an increase in a motivation toward it, stressing the need to implement PA programs that would increase intrinsic motivation during high school and the university stage. In their professional practice, teachers can exert a strong influence on students, promoting healthy habits for life through the example of their own lifestyle. The aim of this study was to compare sports habits and attitudes in Physical Activity and Sports Education students at the universities of León (Spain) and Mostaganem (Algeria)

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion