Decline in enjoyment of physical education among culturally and linguistically diverse youth

Enjoyment of physical education (PE) is frequently cited as a

legitimate outcome in many PE curricula in Organisation for Economic

Co-operation and Development (OECD) nations (Dudley et al., 2011). The

purpose of this study was to examine how student enjoyment of PE changed

during the first two years of secondary schooling in Australia. Participants were

586 students enrolled in six culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD)

secondary schools (2 x co-educational, 2 x all girls’ and 2 x all boys’). A

prospective cohort design was used with data collected using the Physical

Activity Enjoyment Scale (PE version) (PACES PE). There was a small

(MD = –1.8, d = –0.30) but significant (p < .001) decline in overall enjoyment

of PE between Grade 7 and Grade 8. The decline in enjoyment of PE was

greatest among girls (regardless of school-type) and having to change uniforms

had the largest negative effect (d = –0.42) of that decline. Peer relationships

had the largest negative effect (d = –0.40) on boys enjoyment of PE. It is

recommended that schools examine PE uniform policies and increasing teacher

and peer support strategies in PE to maintain enjoyment during middle/high

school.