A comparative study of factors influencing participation in sport and physical activity for metropolitan and rural female adolescents
- Authors: Craike, Melinda , Symons, Caroline , Eime, Rochelle , Payne, Warren , Harvey, Jack
- Date: 2011
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Annals of Leisure Research Vol. 14, no. 4 (2011), p. 355-368
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: The aim of this research was to provide a comparative analysis of the influence of behavioural alternatives, autonomy, competence and relatedness on participation in sport and physical activity for female adolescents within metropolitan and rural settings. Eighteen focus groups were conducted with a cross section of schools within metropolitan Melbourne and rural Victoria, Australia, involving 12-13-year olds and 15-16-year olds, using a semi-structured format. Content and thematic analyses were conducted on the data. Findings supported the sport commitment model by demonstrating that, in both rural and metropolitan settings, participation was influenced by the strength of commitment to a range of behavioural alternatives. Our findings also extended self-determination theory by suggesting that autonomy, competence, and relatedness were interrelated and their strength and influence on participation varied between settings. This study also has practical implications, including the promotion of more inclusive and supportive sports environments for female adolescents and promoting sport and physical activities as activity that promotes wellness, complements academic endeavours and reduces the stress of academic study. © 2011 Taylor & Francis.
Using a socioecological approach to examine participation in sport and physical activity among rural adolescent girls
- Authors: Casey, Meghan , Eime, Rochelle , Payne, Warren , Harvey, Jack
- Date: 2009
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Qualitative Health Research Vol. 19, no. 7 (2009), p. 881-893
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- Reviewed:
- Description: Adolescence is a critical time for developing lifelong healthy behaviors, including active lifestyles. Participation in sport and physical activity, however, declines during adolescence, and few studies have comprehensively identified why, particularly among rural girls. This article identifies a range of independent and interacting factors that influence sport and physical activity participation of rural adolescent girls. The socioecological model of health was used to guide four focus group discussions with Grade 7 girls (n = 34). The results showed that adolescent girls were positively influenced when sports or physical activities were fun, when they involved being with friends, and when they were supported by families and teachers through role modeling and positive feedback. A range of intrapersonal and organizational factors affected perceived self-competence, particularly the coeducational nature of school physical education classes and peer teasing, which supported social comparisons of skill level. In promoting sport and physical activity to rural adolescent girls, focus must be directed on developmentally appropriate activities that are fun, offering opportunities for single-sex classes, and generating cultural changes that encourage noncompetitive and self-referencing activities. © 2009 The Author(s).
- Description: 2003008179