Autoeficacia y gusto por la actividad física de los estudiantes de básica superior de la Escuela de Educación Básica San Juan de Jerusalén

Abstract

A notable decline has been observed in the participation of children and adolescents in physical activity (PA). Physical Education (PE) plays a fundamental role in providing a daily environment for children and young people to have contact with PA, has motivated a growing interest in researching this context. Therefore, our main objective was to compare the perception of self- efficacy and taste for PA of the upper elementary students of the San Juan de Jerusalem basic education school based on the application of a strategic program. This study had a quantitative experimental approach at a pre-experimental level, where two specific variables were measured: self-efficacy and taste for PA. To carry out this measurement, we used two questionnaires: The Self-efficacy towards PA questionnaire and the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES), some questions were also asked to characterize the participants by using a sociodemographic questionnaire. The study included an intervention phase where a strategic program of self-efficacy and enjoyment of PA was applied during 20 class sessions, covering topics, content, action strategies, and teaching methodologies that will help improve self-efficacy and enjoyment of PA. The results support that there was a significant change in the students' perception of self-efficacy and liking for PA. Strengthening the perception of self-efficacy and enjoyment of PA contributes to boosting the participation and commitment of adolescents in PA practice, to promote an active and healthy lifestyle.