Primary and middle school students' views on inclusive physical education: Perceptions, practices, and future directions
Background: Physical Education (PE) classes are vital for nurturing students' social development and promoting collaboration. This study examined how primary and middle school students perceived PE classes, with a focus on collaboration, well-being and enjoyment, teacher behavior, the inclusion...
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| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Heliyon |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024172635 |
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| author | Gabriele Russo Alice Masini Laura Dallolio Andrea Ceciliani |
| author_facet | Gabriele Russo Alice Masini Laura Dallolio Andrea Ceciliani |
| author_sort | Gabriele Russo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Physical Education (PE) classes are vital for nurturing students' social development and promoting collaboration. This study examined how primary and middle school students perceived PE classes, with a focus on collaboration, well-being and enjoyment, teacher behavior, the inclusion of nondisabled and disabled students, and general class behavior. Methods: One-hundred and seventy students (24 primary school and 146 middle school students) were surveyed using a questionnaire. Results: Exploratory Factor Analysis identified seven factors including: well-being, activities for all students, teacher-oriented behavior, collaboration, and attention to students with disabilities. Linear regressions on each identified Factor revealed higher well-being (Factor 1) between primary and middle school students. In addition, the perceived well-being in PE classes and staying together with classmates among younger middle school students was found to be higher than that reported by their older counterparts in middle school. The analysis also revealed that males perceived a higher well-being in PE classes than females. Conclusion: The research underscores that primary and especially middle school PE teachers should promote the well-being of students by creating inclusive and enjoyable PE classes. The PE classes should consider the differences between sexes and the individual differences. Finally, this research lays the foundation for future investigations to refine inclusive PE strategies and improve students' well-being. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-28342290aec44a75bbbb65aa620fda27 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2405-8440 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Heliyon |
| spelling | doaj-art-28342290aec44a75bbbb65aa620fda272025-01-17T04:50:35ZengElsevierHeliyon2405-84402025-01-01111e41232Primary and middle school students' views on inclusive physical education: Perceptions, practices, and future directionsGabriele Russo0Alice Masini1Laura Dallolio2Andrea Ceciliani3Department of Economics, Engineering, Society, and Business Organization, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, (VT), Italy; Department for Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, Rimini, (RN), Italy; Corresponding author. Department of Economics, Engineering, Society, and Business Organization, University of Tuscia, Largo dell’Università S.n.c., Loc Riello, 01100, Viterbo, Italy.Department of Translational Medicine, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, (NO), ItalyDepartment of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, (BO), ItalyDepartment for Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, Rimini, (RN), ItalyBackground: Physical Education (PE) classes are vital for nurturing students' social development and promoting collaboration. This study examined how primary and middle school students perceived PE classes, with a focus on collaboration, well-being and enjoyment, teacher behavior, the inclusion of nondisabled and disabled students, and general class behavior. Methods: One-hundred and seventy students (24 primary school and 146 middle school students) were surveyed using a questionnaire. Results: Exploratory Factor Analysis identified seven factors including: well-being, activities for all students, teacher-oriented behavior, collaboration, and attention to students with disabilities. Linear regressions on each identified Factor revealed higher well-being (Factor 1) between primary and middle school students. In addition, the perceived well-being in PE classes and staying together with classmates among younger middle school students was found to be higher than that reported by their older counterparts in middle school. The analysis also revealed that males perceived a higher well-being in PE classes than females. Conclusion: The research underscores that primary and especially middle school PE teachers should promote the well-being of students by creating inclusive and enjoyable PE classes. The PE classes should consider the differences between sexes and the individual differences. Finally, this research lays the foundation for future investigations to refine inclusive PE strategies and improve students' well-being.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024172635InclusionWell-beingPhysical activityTeacher behaviorExploratory factor analysisDisabilities |
| spellingShingle | Gabriele Russo Alice Masini Laura Dallolio Andrea Ceciliani Primary and middle school students' views on inclusive physical education: Perceptions, practices, and future directions Heliyon Inclusion Well-being Physical activity Teacher behavior Exploratory factor analysis Disabilities |
| title | Primary and middle school students' views on inclusive physical education: Perceptions, practices, and future directions |
| title_full | Primary and middle school students' views on inclusive physical education: Perceptions, practices, and future directions |
| title_fullStr | Primary and middle school students' views on inclusive physical education: Perceptions, practices, and future directions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Primary and middle school students' views on inclusive physical education: Perceptions, practices, and future directions |
| title_short | Primary and middle school students' views on inclusive physical education: Perceptions, practices, and future directions |
| title_sort | primary and middle school students views on inclusive physical education perceptions practices and future directions |
| topic | Inclusion Well-being Physical activity Teacher behavior Exploratory factor analysis Disabilities |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024172635 |
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