Physical education and recreational activities of adolescents in terms of motivational priorities

Abstract

Topicality. The study addresses the problem and pathways of forming adolescents’ motivation for physical education and recreational activities, which is highly relevant in the context of modern socio-political challenges.

The purpose of the study. The aim of the research was to identify and systematize the main factors influencing adolescents’ motivation toward physical and recreational activity, as well as to determine effective pedagogical approaches for fostering sustainable motivation for regular physical education.

Materials and methods of the study. The study involved 40 sixth-grade students, divided into control and experimental groups. The main differences in the organization of physical education in the experimental group included conducting extracurricular recreational classes primarily outdoors at various locations, administering student surveys, monitoring the adequacy of pedagogical approaches, and evaluating the effectiveness of organizing recreational activities. The applied research methods included questionnaires, pedagogical observations, pedagogical experiment, physical fitness testing, and mathematical statistics.

Results of the study. The findings demonstrated that the implementation of a system of physical and recreational activities, incorporating individualized approaches, aerobic exercises, and interactive methods, contributed to a higher level of students’ motivation toward physical education and, in particular, recreational activities. Students in the experimental group showed a statistically significant improvement in physical fitness and an increase in positive attitudes toward physical activity.

Conclusions. The proposed methodology confirmed the effectiveness of creating social, pedagogical, and organizational conditions that ensure the development of sustainable motivation for adolescents’ motor activity, particularly within the framework of physical recreation.