An Examination of University Students’ Attitudes Toward Physical Education and Their Sport and Physical Activity Preferences

Authors

  • Zhenhao Howard Zeng Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
  • Peng Sun East China Normal University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18666/TPE-2022-V79-I2-10205

Keywords:

teachers’ behaviors, types of curriculum, gender, majors, regions,

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine factors that form university students’ attitudes toward physical education (ATPE), the preference of their physical activities (PA), and correlation features among all related factors that form their ATPE. Participants were 1,386 university students from six universities in China. An Adapted Attitudes Toward Physical Education and Physical Activity Preferences Questionnaire was employed in data collection. Data analyses included a 2 × 2 × 2 MANOVA and correlation analysis. The results revealed the ATPE mean-scores ranking (e.g., No. 1 “keep physically fit and strong” and No. 2 “good posture and sturdy body”). Significant differences exist in ATPE mean scores between genders with males scoring higher than females and between majors with natural science scoring higher than social science. The PA preferences ranking of the students was team sports, weight lifting, individual sports, aerobic exercise, dual-game sports, and martial arts. Relationships between ATPE and PA in the university students were exposed and analyzed. The reasons behind these findings were discussed.

Author Biographies

Zhenhao Howard Zeng, Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Dr. Howard Zhenhao Zeng is an associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology, Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, USA.

Peng Sun, East China Normal University

Dr. Peng Sun is an associate professor at the Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention, Ministry of Education, College of Physical Education and Health Care, East China Normal University.

Published

2022-06-14

Issue

Section

Articles