Factors affecting recreational activity of young people from secondary schools

Background: The paper discusses factors which determine young people’s recreational activity in their leisure time. Learning about the factors of recreational activity will support efficient promotion of active lifestyles, improvement in health condition and education of young people, and participation in different forms of recreation. Material/Methods: In order to conclude on the statistical significance of the relationships and the strength of correlation between the variables, the author used Pearson's chi-square test for independence and Cramer's V coefficient. The research hypothesis was tested at two levels: α = 0.01 (denoted in the paper as **) and α = 0.05 (denoted in the paper as *). The study was carried out among the subjects from a homogeneous age group of young people (15 to 19 years old) from secondary schools in the Greater Poland Voivodeship. The survey covered a research sample of 600 people. Results: The survey, carried out among young people aged 15 to 19 years, found that recreational activity in both genders diminished with age. The study also showed that the studied young people participated in the following forms of recreation in their leisure time: computer (24.86%), cycling (18.59%), team games (14.35%), walking (7.79%), swimming (7.49%), spending time in a café or a pub (5.87%) and going to the cinema (0.42%). Among the factors that determine recreational activity, the significant role is played by financial factors, lack of interest in recreational activity, lack of free time and recreational equipment. Conclusions: Rational participation in recreational activity contributes to maintaining health and affects good mood of individuals. A system of education should be created in society to promote recreational activity among young people and its effect on the quality of health and life. Word count: 2,953 Tables: 3 Figures: 0 References: 18 Received: June 2013 Accepted: October 2013 Published: December 2013 Corresponding author: Agnieszka Wartecka-Ważyńska, Ph.D. Eugeniusz Piasecki University School of Physical Education in Poznan ul. Królowej Jadwigi 27/39, 61-871 Poznań Phone: +48 61 835 53 47 E-mail: agawartecka@interia.pl A. Wartecka-Wazynska, Factors affecting recreational activity of young people from secondary schools 268 Introduction In industrial and post-industrial societies, work had the central place in human existence. In the knowledge society, the importance of work has been replaced by leisure time. Time has become more precious because of the increased pace of living. Throughout the 20th century, working time and leisure time became a commodity which should be rationally managed [1]. Leisure time is an important factor in life quality. The amount of leisure time and the way of spending this time determines good mood and health of a human [2, 3, 4, 5]. Education of children and young people for the rational use of their leisure time is an essential problem. A particular role in this education is played by school education supported by families and actions taken by governmental and nongovernmental organizations. Recreation, which represents an element of physical activity, is an active form of spending leisure time by young people and adults. Without recreation, all health strategies, maintaining and improving health and the proper growth of children would be impossible [6]. Through cognitive, educational, hygienic, health-related and socio-educational values, recreation represents one of the most attractive methods of spending leisure time among children and young people. The most attractive type of this education in the countries of the European Union is termed outdoor education [7]. In consideration of the above problems, the particular focus should be on instilling healthy habits into young people, education and teaching with consideration for the values of recreation (recreation axiology). The aim of the paper is to identify the factors which determine young people’s recreational activity in their leisure time. Identification of the factors in this activity will support promotion of active lifestyles among young people, improvement in health condition and it will draw attention to the need for education and teaching aimed at participation in different forms of recreation. Material and methods The study was based on the following methods: literature study, a diagnostic survey and a statistical method. The method of a diagnostic survey adopted the technique of a questionnaire. In the statistical method, Pearson's chi-square and Cramer's V were used. In order to conclude on the statistical significance between the variables studied, the author used Pearson's chi-square test for independence. Furthermore, the Cramer's V coefficient was calculated. It indicates the strength of relationships between variables while adopting the null hypothesis (Ho) of the lack of any relationship between the tested variables. The research hypothesis was tested at two levels: α = 0.01 (denoted in the paper as **) and α = 0.05 (denoted in the paper as *). In the case of presence of a relationship at these levels, an alternative hypothesis was adopted. Cramer's V is an indicator of the strength of the relationship between variables. This strength is defined on a scale from 0 to 1. The values closer to 1 represent a stronger relationship. Statistical computation of the survey material collected in the study was carried out by means of the STATISTICA computer software. The study is focused on the presentation, analysis and interpretation of the results obtained from the questionnaire survey. The survey was carried out in a group which was homogeneous in terms of age (15-19-yearolds). It was assumed that this age category represents young people who are relatively independent in making decisions on the way and the form of spending leisure time. The studied sample involved a research sample of 600 young people from comprehensive secondary schools and vocational secondary schools in the region of the Greater Poland Voivodeship (850 questionnaire forms were sent). The characterization of the studied sample is presented in Table 1. A. Wartecka-Wazynska, Factors affecting recreational activity of young people from secondary schools 269 Table 1. Characterization of the studied sample