Influence of Sport Experience in Physical Education Classes on Life Skills Acquisition between Athlete and Non-athlete Students

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the influence of sport experience in physical education classes (PEC) on life skills acquisition between athlete students who participated in athletic clubs and non-athlete students. Investigation based on the causal model incorporating satisfaction as a positive dimension of mental health using Structural Equation Modeling with multi-group analysis was conducted using data obtained from 770 students (413 athlete and 357 non-athlete students). These students answered questionnaires on sport experience in PEC (self-disclosure, cooperation, challenge, and enjoyment) and the acquisition level of life skills (intrapersonal and interpersonal skills). The results indicated that (1) satisfaction mediated the positive effect of sport experience in PEC on life skills acquisition in both groups, and (2) a clear difference of positive effect was found in regard to challenge, i.e., active practice to enhance athletic level. Concretely, only an indirect effect was found in athlete students, while only direct effects were found in non-athlete students. Moreover, it was indicated that the total effect of sport experience in PEC on life skills acquisition in non-athlete students was stronger than the total effect in athlete students.