Primary School Children's Attitudes to Physical Education: Gender Differences

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine possible gender differences with respect to primary school children's attitudes towards physical education and to identify those factors that influence interest. The Pre‐Adolescent Attitude to PhysicaJ Education Questionnaire (PAAPEQ) was completed by 924 children (aged 10‐11 yean). This instrument measures general interest and environmental adjustment in physical education, how the physical education teacher is perceived and views concerning assessment and the organisation of the curriculum. Employing multi‐variate analysis of variance techniques boys were found to be significantly more interested in physical education than the girls and were less affected by environmental factors. The girls had more positive attitudes towards the teacher than the boys and were less concerned about the organisation of the curriculum. Multiple regression analyses identified pupils’ views with regards to assessment as being the most important variable for interest in physical education for boys and girls.