The importance of soccer literacy in the education and socialization of adolescents – Czech and Polish cases

ABSTRACT

This study aims to (1) identify trends and differences between boys and girls, concerning their preference for soccer; (2) determine the associations between preferring soccer, practicing soccer, and fulfiling physical activity recommendations; (3) and support a more effective acquisition of soccer literacy in the Czech Republic and Poland. The results show that soccer is the most preferred team sport for 32.9% of Czech boys versus 7.5% of Czech girls, while 46.7% of Polish boys preferred it, as compared to 7.7% of Polish girls. Overall, boys and girls who prefer soccer have a greater chance of fulfiling physical activity recommendations. Differences in preference and participation illustrate the importance of creating conditions for boys and girls to participate in soccer, futsal, futnet, and beach soccer. Soccer literacy may significantly support the acquisition of physical, health, and social literacy.

Acknowledgments

This paper was supported by the research grant from the Czech Science Foundation (No. 13-32935S): ‘The objectification of comprehensive monitoring of school mental and physical strain in adolescents in the context of physical and mental condition’.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

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Additional information

Funding

The research was supported by the Czech Science Foundation under grant ‘Multifactorial research of built environment, active lifestyle, and physical fitness of Czech youth’ [number GA 14-26896S]