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Predictors of strong sense of coherence and positive attitudes to physical education in adolescents

Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Kristianstad University, Kristianstad, Sweden, ann-christin.sollerhed{at}husa.hkr.se, Department of Community Medicine, Lund University, Sweden

Göran Ejlertsson

Department of Health Sciences, Kristianstad University, Kristianstad, Sweden

Erwin Apitzsch

Department of Psychology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden

Aims: The aim of this study was to find variables related to positive attitudes to physical education (PE) and strong sense of coherence (SOC) among adolescents. Methods: The study included three parts: seven physical tests; a questionnaire which included ways of living, attitudes to PE, and subjective health, the 13-question version of SOC; and information on every student's grades. The study group comprised 301 teenagers (131 girls and 170 boys, aged 16—19 years) attending upper secondary school. Positive odds ratio was used in the logistic regression analyses with SOC and attitudes to PE as dependent variables. Results: Variables related to positive attitudes to PE were strong SOC, high physical capacity, high leisure-time physical activity (PA), high grades in PE, and little time spent watching TV. Variables related to strong SOC were positive attitudes to PE, high grades in PE, very good subjective health, and feeling comfortable in school. Highest physical capacity, highest mean grades, and highest grades in PE were found among adolescents who reported exercise four times or more per week. Conclusions: An interrelation between attitudes to PE and SOC was shown. The relation between positive attitudes to PE and high scores in SOC indicated that past experiences of PA and PE could contribute to the development of SOC, and actual levels of SOC could influence the persistent attitudes to PE and be important for lifelong PA. One means of identification of favourable or unfavourable health behaviour among young people might be through PA patterns, and relations between attitudes to PE and SOC.

Key Words: Adolescence • enjoyment • physical activity • physical education • physical fitness • positive attitudes • sense of coherence (SOC) • subjective health

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