The relationships between perceived benefits, barriers of participating in physical activity and physical activity levels of farm school children

Abstract

Participation in physical activity was found to be associated with health benefits. Lack of physical activity is a risk factor that may lead to mortality. The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of barriers and benefits of participating in physical activity and the levels of physical activity and to investigate the relationships between perceived barriers and benefits of participating in physical activity and levels of physical activity in boys and girls attending farm schools in Alma-Vaalwater area. A total of 344 children (185 boys and 159 girls) aged 15 to 16 years completed a questionnaire on perceptions of barriers and benefits of participation in physical activity, and a Previous Day Physical Activity Recall (PDPAR) questionnaire on the levels of physical activity. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics, independent t-testing and correlations by means of SPSS (Version 15.0). The results show that barriers (with high mean values) experienced by boys to be physically active included lack of time, to do work/school work, and physical activity makes one sweat. In girls barriers experienced to be physically active included lack of time, to do work/school work and lack of equipments. With regard to the perceived benefits of participating in physical activity both boys and girls showed high mean values in to stay in good health, to feel well and to have energy. The results further showed that lack of equipments was negatively associated with participation in physical activity in boys and girls during the week and weekend days respectively. In addition girls showed a Significant relationship between to relieve stress and physical activity. Significant gender differences regarding the levels of physical activity with girls participating more in light physical activity than boys were found. This study recommended the need for the introduction of awareness programmes on physical activity as well as well-structured programmes of physical activity by qualified personnel geared towards the improvement of general well-being of children. More studies with a larger sample size are required to verify the present findings.