Attitudes of Students toward Physical Activities

This study examined high-school students' attitudes toward physical education/activity (ATPEA) and their sports/activities preferences. Participants were 1,317 high-school students (603 boys and 714 girls) from five urban public school districts. Physical Education Activity Attitude Scale (PEAAS, Valdez, 1997) adapted version (Zeng, 2009) was employed for the survey. Data analysis revealed that the five highest scores were Items 2, 16, 11, 18, and 5 on the PEAAS. The overall score indicated that the participants possess a quite positive ATPEA; differences exist among the following factors: participants' gender, ethnic group, and socio-economic status (SES). Girls scored higher than boys in Items 2, 13, and 15. Caucasian students scored higher than other four ethnic groups in Items 8 and 10. Students with middle SES scored higher than students with low and high SES in Item 2. In conclusion, the current ATPEA status of the students was positive. There were some crucial factors that structure the students' ATPEA. These factors were related to students' perception, benefit, care, and value about their PE programs and sports/activities. Much detail is discussed.