Evaluation of the Benefits and Self-Efficacy of Students Participating in Physical Activity Programs

The goal of planning the physical activity programs includes the evaluation of the parameters that have an effect on their implementation. The purpose of this study was to develop a questionnaire to evaluate the benefits and self-efficacy of secondary school students, for participation in physical activity programs. Secondary purposes of that study were the comparison of the benefits and the self-efficacy with gender and age. In this study 374 secondary school students participated, aged 12-15 years old. Questionnaires modified to be adjusted to school children. An exploratory factor analysis and Cronbach alpha reliability was conducted and the factor “Benefits” revealed the dimensions of “Fitness”, “Sociability” and “Health”. Moreover, the factor “Self Efficacy” revealed the dimensions of “Transportation”, “Avocation – Condition” and «Internal Feelings». From the comparison between boys and girls it was found that the dimension “Sociability” was the most important benefit for the boys and the dimensions “Personal Feelings”, “Internal Feelings” were more important for their self-efficacy. When the dimensions compared according to the age group, the younger participants considered the most important benefit the improvement of their “Fitness” and the most important for their self-efficacy the dimension “Transportation”. The results of this study could assist in improving proper planning and management of the programs in order to increase participation in physical activity of secondary school children.