Parents 'should encourage less formal outdoor play activities'
13/01/2010 Attitudes towards exercising outdoors and fitness learnt by children when they are young can impact on their participation in sports during their adult life, according to a new study.
The study, which appeared in the Qualitative Research in Sport and Exercise, found that adults who had bad experiences in PE and games classes at school were less likely to take part in and enjoy sports.
Some of the reasons for having bad sporting experiences were being humiliated in front of their peers and having an unfair or lazy teacher.
Professor Billy Strean, who conducted the study, is from the University of Alberta's Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation.
He told CTV news: " What is really essential is that we see the importance of making all these activities fun for kids. Whether it's physical education or in sports, we've got to remember: they're kids."
It was also revealed that some of the participants' best childhood sporting memories were from games which had been organised informally. Professor Strean advises that adults let children explore sports and outdoor play activities for themselves without imposing too many rules.
The study, which appeared in the Qualitative Research in Sport and Exercise, found that adults who had bad experiences in PE and games classes at school were less likely to take part in and enjoy sports.
Some of the reasons for having bad sporting experiences were being humiliated in front of their peers and having an unfair or lazy teacher.
Professor Billy Strean, who conducted the study, is from the University of Alberta's Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation.
He told CTV news: " What is really essential is that we see the importance of making all these activities fun for kids. Whether it's physical education or in sports, we've got to remember: they're kids."
It was also revealed that some of the participants' best childhood sporting memories were from games which had been organised informally. Professor Strean advises that adults let children explore sports and outdoor play activities for themselves without imposing too many rules.
