Abstract
Background: The prevalence of physical activity (PA) depends greatly on the options of executing preferable and favorite PA. Objective information about individual preferences in types of PA can support successful integration of adolescents into regular participation in PA. Defining the role of individual and team sports in regard to girls' and boys' sport preferences is a permanent problem that requires objective and continuous diagnostics. Objective: The purpose of the study is to examine the relationship among girls' and boys' preferences in individual and team sports and further among these preferences and PA participation. Methods: Online research was conducted in the Katowice region and 518 boys and 559 girls from the age of 15 to 17 years participated. All high schools in the region were called on for participation, but only schools that allowed the research examination participated. Sport preferences survey that participants completed online via INDARES system was used to diagnose preferences in individual and team sports. The results were analyzed using basic statistical procedures, the relationship was determined based on rank correlation coefficients and differences between orders of preferred sports were tested by Mann-Whitney test. Results: The most preferred individual sport in girls and boys is swimming, and that applies for all age groups. There is a very strong correlation (rs = .841 - .895; p < .001) among girls' and boys' (15 to 17 years old) preferences in individual sports. Volleyball is the most preferred team sport for girls followed by basketball and handball. The most preferred team sport for boys is soccer by distantly followed by volleyball and basketball. The relationship between girls' and boys' team sports is not as strong as for individual sports (rs = .745 - .763; p < .001). In regard to selected sports, boys and girls corresponded in their team sports preferences followed by individual sports preferences. The highest difference in preferences was evident in the group of Rhythmic and Dancing activities, which were ranked third by girls, while boys ranked them last. Both girls and boys who prefer individual sports and girls who prefer team sports participate longer in hourly range of organized PA. Conclusions: The Polish version of the online system INDARES is a suitable diagnostic tool for the examination of sport preferences sphere in adolescents. Understanding gender differences in sport preferences of adolescents can increase their participation in organized PA.
Highlights
Character and preferences of various types of physical activity (PA) of adolescents vary greatly in different educational systems and socio-cultural conditions
Understanding these specifics can increase the effectiveness of potential interventions in physical programs that were created in attempt to support PA in children and adolescents (Pate et al, 2010)
The purpose of the present study is to examine the relationships among boys’ and girls’ preferences in individual and team sports and further among these preferences and boys’ and girls’ participation in an organized PA
Summary
Character and preferences of various types of physical activity (PA) of adolescents vary greatly in different educational systems and socio-cultural conditions. Children embrace behavioral traits that are perceived by society as “typical” for particular gender and when they enter the first grade in the elementary school they already express behavioral patterns appropriate for the masculine or feminine stereotype It is the result of more or less successful socialization in the particular culture (Alexander, 2003; Pryor, 1994). Since girls are less physically active than boys (Azevedo, Araujo, Da Silva, & Hallal, 2007; Kjønniksen, Torsheim, & Wold, 2008; Sigmundová, El Ansari, Sigmund, & Frömel, 2011), it is more than important to understand the specifics of PA in girls (and boys) and their preferences Understanding these specifics can increase the effectiveness of potential interventions in physical programs (school, public) that were created in attempt to support PA in children and adolescents (Pate et al, 2010). Defining the role of individual and team sports in regard to girls’ and boys’ sport preferences is a permanent problem that requires objective and continuous diagnostics
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