<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> The purpose of this study was to examine the benefits of physical exercise among secondary school students. Participants in the study were 251 students (120 boys and 131 girls) attending three public secondary schools in the Hlanganani rural area of South Africa. A validated questionnaire was used to collect data. Results of this study indicated that students exercised to be with their friends, to be physically attractive and compete with others. The findings of this study have practical implications for promoting participation in physical activity among students in rural schools. In an effort to promote physical activity participation, schools should be provided with quality sports infrastructure and funding so that they can implement school sport programmes. Finally, the teaching of physical education should be emphasised in schools as it is the cornerstone for children’s involvement in physical activity.</p></abstract>

The purpose of this study was to examine the benefits of physical exercise among secondary school students. Participants in the study were 251 students (120 boys and 131 girls) attending three public secondary schools in the Hlanganani rural area of South Africa. A validated questionnaire was used to collect data. Results of this study indicated that students exercised to be with their friends, to be physically attractive and compete with others. The findings of this study have practical implications for promoting participation in physical activity among students in rural schools. In an effort to promote physical activity participation, schools should be provided with quality sports infrastructure and funding so that they can implement school sport programmes. Finally, the teaching of physical education should be emphasised in schools as it is the cornerstone for children’s involvement in physical activity.

Psychosocial and Physical Benefits of Exercise Among Rural Secondary School Students

Department of Sport, Rehabilitation and Dental Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa

Department of Marketing, Logistics and Sport Management, Faculty of Management Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa

European Review Of Applied Sociology

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

The purpose of this study was to examine the benefits of physical exercise among secondary school students. Participants in the study were 251 students (120...

Psychosocial and Physical Benefits of Exercise Among Rural Secondary School Students

Published Online: Feb 03, 2016

Page range: 14 - 18

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/eras-2015-0007

Keywords
Exercise, physical activity, health, sports, students

© 2016

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Psychosocial and Physical Benefits of Exercise Among Rural Secondary School Students

Published Online: Feb 03, 2016

Page range: 14 - 18

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/eras-2015-0007

KeywordsExercise, physical activity, health, sports, students

© 2016

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Keywords
Exercise, physical activity, health, sports, students