Author(s): PARK, H., Institution: JEJU NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, Country: KOREA, SOUTH, Abstract-ID: 2086

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of extracurricular activities on students’activity levels in the middle school physical education classes. The ultimate goal of physical education is to improve health through physical activity. Therefore, despite schools providing various educational programs for participation in physical activity, many adolescents do not participate in physical activity. In order to develop educational programs to promote physical activity, we need to understand the physical activity level of adolescents from various aspects. Physical activity engagement is one of the main health-related goals of physical education and sports and it is needed in order for participants to become physically fit and physically skilled. A total of 678 middle school students participated for this study. Using the Transtheoretical model, students were asked to complete a survey designed to determine personal, behavioral and environmental characteristics associated to exercise behaviors and intentions. Using the SOFIT (System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time), students’ activity, lesson context, and teacher behaviors were observed during the physical education class. SOFIT has been validated in several ways and studies have shown that it can be used reliably in diverse instructional settings, including with those with preschoolers and adults. SOFIT is a comprehensive tool for assessing physical education (PE) classes by providing for the simultaneous collection of data on student activity levels, the lesson context, and teache behavior. Results of this study showed that students who participated in PA related extracurricular programs were active, were in maintenance stage, and were more confident in their ability to exercise significantly more than students in other extracurricular activity programs (i.e., art, music, math activity) and students who did not participated in any extracurricular activities. Schools with professionally prepared teachers along with the adequate time and facilities have the potential to effectively influence students’ health by promoting student participation in physical activity and to establish the continuing involvement of students in physical activity for life. There is, however, little research on effects of extracurricular activities (i.e., sports, games, etc.) on students’engagement in physical activities. The results of this study provide an understanding of the effects of physical activity related extracurricular activities that could be helpful in developing health promotion strategies for middle school students.