Physical activity and satisfaction of basic psychological needs in adolescent girls and boys in rural contexts

Abstract

The aim of the research was to find out the levels of physical activity and satisfaction of Basic Psychological Needs in adolescents from the Siberia region of Extremadura, to analyse the differences according to sex, as well as to analyse the relationship between levels of physical activity, satisfaction of basic psychological needs and sex. The sample consisted of 204 subjects (92 boys, 112 girls) aged between 10 and 16 years. The Assessment of Physical Activity Levels Questionnaire (APALQ) and the Basic Psychological Needs in Physical Education (BPN-PE) scale were used to assess basic psychological needs. The results showed levels of physical activity (moderately active level, very close to sedentary level) and basic psychological needs that were not very high. By gender, it was observed that girls had a sedentary level of physical activity compared to the moderately active level of boys. Specifically, significant differences were found in the levels of physical activity and competence according to gender. Thus, the male sex felt more competent and performed higher levels of physical activity than the female sex. Furthermore, it was observed that gender, physical activity and satisfaction of basic psychological needs were related to each other. The positive and significant correlation between gender and competence, physical activity levels and competence, and gender and physical activity levels was found to be significant.