The effect of physical education and sports departments on behavioral changes towards exercising

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Physical Education and Sports (PES) Departments over the exercise behaviors of male students (277 pu, 283 pri) from a sample group of 21 to 26 year-olds, who are studying in various departments from both private and public universities in Istanbul. The Physical Activity Stages of Change Questionnaire (PASCQ) was used for data collection and the effect of the PES sciences was investigated to determine the tendency to play sports. A chi-square test was used to examine the relationship between categorical variables. According to PASCQ variable of male students from different departments of these universities, the general distribution of the tendency to participate in a moderate physical activity is 34.7% in private universities and 62% in public universities. The tendency to participate in sports was almost non-existent in age groups of 23, 24, and 26 in private universities, and in age groups of 21, 23 and 26 in public universities. A meaningful relationship was found when we asked the students of private universities the question of "Do PES departments have an effect on your physical activity?" (X2=33,952; p=,000; p<0.05). As 87.3% of the students work in the private sector along with school, they spend their non-school recreative time outside the campus and in the workplace. As a result, they are not in touch with the facilities, organizations and friend groups the PES departments have to offer, so they only show a 34.7% pre-tendency and behavior tendency in the Physical Activity Stages of Change compared to public universities. These three questions were asked and a meaningful relationship was found: "Do you have any close friends who are studying in the PES departments of public universities?" (X2=16,696; p=,033) "Do you use the university's facilities when you exercise?" (X2=38,241; p=,000) and "Does PES students have effect on your physical activities?" (X2=59,815; p=,002) p<0.05). Despite the fact that 40% of these students work alongside schoolling, having friends in PES departments, wanting to participate in organizations and activities, having the opportunity to use facilities, and the tendency of PES students to exercise, gives these students a 62% maintenance stage tendency. It was found that PES sciences are more effective in state universities as regards directing students to physical activity in campus life. Individuals in PES sciences also affect the physical activity levels of students in other disciplines. Key words: Physical education and sport, behavioral change, physical environment, physical activity, types of university.