A retrospective study on the influence of physical education on lifelong physical activity

Abstract

Physical activity (PA) prevents many noncommunicable diseases, including obesity (Hils et al., 2011). Low levels of daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) have been reported among Maltese children (Decelis et al., 2014). Physical education (PE) has always been closely connected to young people's health. Therefore, it is vital to stress the importance of PE as it lays the groundwork for experiences encouraging participation in health-improving PA for the rest of one's life (Laventure, 2003). According to McKenzie (2001), PE is the best medium for encouraging young people to lead active, healthy lifestyles. Despite the abundance of knowledge showing the benefits of PA for health and quality of life, adults are not encouraged to lead active lifestyles after mandatory schooling. The main reasons are lack of motivation, funds, and time (European Commission, 2022). This research project explores the relationship between PE’s perceived experiences during childhood and adults' participation in PA by utilising 100 questionnaires (quantitative) with participants aged 18 to 35 years. Also, it will explore how current PE teachers instil the notion of 'active for life' in their students through six semi-structured interviews (qualitative). The main research question is: 'Is there a relationship between the subjective experiences in PE and the eventual participation in PA as adults?'. The following are the sub-research questions: 'What is the perceived experience of PE in adults?' and 'How do PE teachers plan to instil the concept of 'active for life' in their students?'. This research aimed to evaluate how the participants' past subjective PE experience during compulsory schooling has affected their current PA status. The main results were that students remain active when they are positively influenced by their school PE teacher, and PE during mandatory schooling significantly influences lifelong PA. Moreover, the qualitative findings implicate that current PE teachers feel that there is a need for more general PE lessons in Maltese schools while the quantitative findings revealed that many participants did not have a positive PE experience in their mandatory schooling years, primarily due to repetitive content and lack of enjoyment. Additionally, it is recommended that each school's SMT (Senior Management Team) should ensure that adequate funds are set aside to maintain the equipment needed for PE lessons and sports activities (NAO, 2010).