A comparative study of factors influencing participation in sport and physical activity for metropolitan and rural female adolescents

Abstract

The aim of this research was to provide a comparative analysis of the influence of behavioural alternatives, autonomy, competence and relatedness on participation in sport and physical activity for female adolescents within metropolitan and rural settings. Eighteen focus groups were conducted with a cross section of schools within metropolitan Melbourne and rural Victoria, Australia, involving 12–13-year olds and 15–16-year olds, using a semi-structured format. Content and thematic analyses were conducted on the data. Findings supported the sport commitment model by demonstrating that, in both rural and metropolitan settings, participation was influenced by the strength of commitment to a range of behavioural alternatives. Our findings also extended self-determination theory by suggesting that autonomy, competence, and relatedness were interrelated and their strength and influence on participation varied between settings. This study also has practical implications, including the promotion of more inclusive and supportive sports environments for female adolescents and promoting sport and physical activities as activity that promotes wellness, complements academic endeavours and reduces the stress of academic study.

Keywords:

• physical activity
• exercise
• leisure
• young women
• sport
• adolescents

Acknowledgements

The project was funded through the Sport and Recreation division of the Victorian Government's Department of Planning and Community Development, the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth) and Victoria University and University of Ballarat.

We would like to thank the participating schools, teachers and students for being involved in the research.