Participation in sport and physical activity by school aged children in Malta

Abstract

The role and importance of sport and physical activity in schools have frequently been debated, generally within the framework of continuing education. Physical Education is at the core of a comprehensive approach to promote physical activity through schools. All children should participate in quality Physical Education lessons every school day since it provides an opportunity for students to be active whilst developing the knowledge, attitudes, skills, behaviours, and self confidence needed to be physically active for life. The need to have scientific evidence of current trends in participation has been felt for a number of years. Hence, this study, investigates the interrelationship between participation and non-participation from a double perspective: within the educational system and within the informal or extracurricular framework. Twenty one (Primary and Secondary) schools were selected and the students (N=1909} were asked to respond to a comprehensive questionnaire to assess their involvement in sport and physical activity. The results were scientifically analysed through correlation coefficients, revealing a very indicative picture of the lack of physical activity among the Maltese school-aged population, in both the micro (25.9% do not participate) and macro (only 51.5% do not participate} environments. These findings suggest that immediate action must be taken to mitigate the implications of this lack of participation. To facilitate this approach it is necessary to challenge the current educational system and implement a strategy to recognise and value the importance of physical activity, both inside and outside school.