GENDER DIFFERENCES IN SPORTS INVOLVEMENT AND MOTIVATION FOR ENGAGEMENT IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION IN PRIMARY SCHOOL

Abstract

Physical education plays a central role in increasing the level and quality of physical activity, especially among young people, with a tendency to such a pattern of behavior one day become life-style. Since that physical ability, level of interest and commitment is varying from student to student, the study of problems of motivation for active involvement in physical activity is very important. At sample of 706 pupils from the 4th - 7th grade primary schools (age 11 – 14) were examined the gender differences in sports involvement and motivation for engagement in physical education. There was a statistically significant difference between boys and girls. Boys who were actively involved in sport attained the highest scores on the motivation scale, and girls who were not involved in sport at all attained the lowest scores. So, raising pupils' awareness of the advantages for health, regular growth and development, have their engagement in physical activities, at least in the most basic form, such as active participation in PE, would be important for girls since their scores at Motivation scale for measurement of involvement in PE were significantly lower than boys, no matter on their sports involvement. Key words: gender, motivation, PE, sports involvement.