engleski

Differences in physical activity level, estimated by questionnaire, between 3rd and 4th grade pupils of elementary school

Purpose. The aim of this research is to determine differences in physical activity (PA) level, estimated by questionnaire, between 3rd grade pupils and 4th grade pupils of elementary school. School curriculum enacts 3 lessons of Physical Education (PE) per week for 3rd grade and 2 lessons of PE per week for 4th grade of elementary school. Partial aims are refering to determining gender differences (3rd and 4th grade separately) and also which gender contributes more to the possible differences between 3rd and 4th grade pupils. Methods. The set of entities included 400 3rd and 4th grade pupils of elementary school. In the 3rd grade participated 200 pupils, 93 girls and 107 boys and in the 4th grade 200 pupils participated in the research, of which 102 girls and 98 boys. PA level was estimated by the croatian version of PAQ - C (Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children) which estimates overall weekly PA by summarising nine partial parameters of PA and PA occuring during PE lesson is one of them. The questionnaire has determined appropriate validity and reliability. Results. Differences in level of overall PA estimated by questionnaire between 3rd grade pupils and 4th grade pupils of elementary school are not determined. Also gender differences in level of overall PA (3rd or 4th grade pupils) are not determined. Only determined gender differences are the ones in some partial parameters of PA. According to the pupil's average result in item reffering to Physical Education lessons (4, 60), it can be concluded that pupils were active often or every time, whereby the purpose of the PE lesson is in large scale fullfilled. Conclusion. The future research need to upgrade questionnaires for estimation of physical activity level based on self- evaluation, also need to determine reasons of pupil's insufficient levels of PA in some partial parameters of PA in order to improve them and by that to raise level of overall PA of younger school-aged children.

physical activity, PAQ – C, young school age, gender differences, Physical Education

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