ERIC Number: EJ1030061
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014-Aug
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1356-336X
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
"It's Too Crowded": A Qualitative Study of the Physical Environment Factors That Adolescent Girls Perceive to Be Important and Influential on Their PE Experience
Niven, Ailsa; Henretty, Joan; Fawkner, Samantha
European Physical Education Review, v20 n3 p335-348 Aug 2014
Many adolescent girls do not achieve a health-enhancing level of physical activity. This study aimed to identify the school physical environment factors that adolescent girls perceive to be important and influential regarding their physical education (PE) behaviour. Adolescent girls (n = 38; aged 13-16) participated in eight moderated focus groups, which were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were inductively content-analysed using NVivo to cluster participants' comments into hierarchical themes. Six higher order themes emerged relating to the physical environment and included both positive and negative comments. Emergent themes related to 1) the activities offered; 2) the quality of the facilities for PE and changing; 3) the equipment available; 4) the length, quantity and scheduling of PE during the day; and the influence of 5) the weather and 6) clothing on PE participation. From the emergent findings it is evident that the physical environment is perceived as important to girls and can influence the quality of their PE experience. These findings may be used by teachers and exercise leaders to create an environment conducive to enhancing physical activity levels.
Descriptors: Females, Physical Education, Scheduling, Clothing, Equipment, Physical Environment, Qualitative Research, Student Attitudes, Focus Groups, Audio Equipment, Content Analysis, Computer Software, Educational Facilities, Physical Activity Level, Foreign Countries, Secondary School Students
SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://epe.sagepub.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom (Scotland)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A