Gender Differences in Secondary School Students’ Behavioural Regulations Towards National Physical Fitness Award (NAPFA)

Jodie Heng & Rachel Ong

Methodist Girls’ School

Does gender affect students’ behavioural regulations towards NAPFA?

Research Question

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This project hypothesised that female students’ have less motivation, specifically internal motivation, to participate in NAPFA

compared to male students.

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Hypothesis

Introduction

The National Physical Fitness Award (NAPFA);

◉ is a mandated test◉ assesses the overall fitness ◉ understand the importance of a healthy and

balanced lifestyle○ Increasing trend of obesity○ Decreasing trend of participation

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Reasons for undertaking study

◉ Provide valuable insights ◉ A more suitable curriculum and test could be

developed ○ Pique student’s interests

◉ No empirical data or studies available

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Aims

Find out,

◉ Secondary School Students’ behavioural regulations towards NAPFA

◉ Difference in behavioural regulations within gender

Evaluate,

◉ The different motivations for participating in NAPFA

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Methodology

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Procedure

◉ Consent forms were given out to participants ◉ Google form questionnaire

○ explored the importance of NAPFA to the participants and the perceptions towards the aspects of NAPFA testing

◉ Options ranging from a scale of 1-5○ Explored participants view of NAPFA

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Participants

169 Total Students

103 Females 66 Males

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Measures

◉ The survey is an adaptation of the Exercise Regulations Questionnaire (BREQ-3)1

○ examines students’ underlying motivation in exercise

○ measures participants’ self-determination using a Likert scale

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Measures

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Behavioural Regulation Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (ɑ)

Amotivation .91

External Regulation .80

Introjected Regulation .84

Identified Regulation .82

Integrated Regulation .86

Intrinsic Regulation .90

Results/Discussion

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Identified Regulation

Definition: Individuals are able to understand the purpose of their behaviour

◉ The highest score for the entire sample◉ Significantly higher for males as compared

to females

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Identified Regulation

◉ Males could have found NAPFA testing to be more useful ○ personally identified with the importance of

behaviour

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Identified Regulation

◉ Shows that students are aware of the importance of a NAPFA○ education system in Singapore has been effective

in putting across the message of the importance of NAPFA

○ NAPFA as a way to regulate their physical fitness○ NAPFA awards

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External Regulations

Definition: Motivation arising from other independent sources.

◉ For females, the External Regulation score was significantly higher than Introjected, and Integrated Regulations.

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External Regulation

◉ Female’s motivation mostly comes from external influence○ Wanting to do well to have a better grade○ Not wanting to take the retest○ Enjoyment from participating with peers

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Amotivation

Definition: The lack of motivation due to a lack of perceived competence or a failure to value the outcomes

◉ Females amotivation score was significantly higher than Introjected and Integrated Regulations○ Perceived own failure at physical activities○ Defeatist mindset

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Introjected Regulation

Definition: Motivations are due to the consequences that the individual puts upon themselves.

◉ Males Introjected Regulation scores were significantly higher than females.

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Introjected Regulation

◉ Males have a higher score for introjected regulation due to○ Peer pressure○ Societal norms○ Parental expectations

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Integrated Regulation

Occurs when motivation is fully integrated within the individual

◉ Integrated Regulation, significantly higher than females

◉ Lowest score for the overall sample

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Integrated Regulation

◉ Students find it hard to get motivation from him/herself○ Difficult and stressful

○ Forced to participate

○ lowers the personal importance of NAPFA

◉ Female students are less interested physical activity

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Intrinsic Regulation

Definition: Arising from the interest and enjoyment that a person finds in an activity

◉ Significantly higher for males as compared to females

◉ significantly higher than External, Introjected, and Integrated Regulations

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Intrinsic Regulation

◉ Males have greater perception of their physical competence compared to girls

◉ More likely to find NAPFA interesting and enjoyable ○ Continue to actively participating in PE and NAPFA

◉ Males are inclined to view fitness and exercise as opportunities to pursue ego-related results

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National Service (NS) as a motivator

◉ For male students on the verge of NS, NAPFA results are of higher importance○ NAPFA grade can decrease time serving○ NAPFA prepares male student for Individual

Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) in NS ◉ Very obvious incentive as all male Singaporean

students will have NS in their future

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Limitations

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Limitations

◉ Only surveys were conducted ◉ A difference in the number of male and female

participants ◉ Other factors not discussed that contributed to

student’s perceptions of NAPFA test◉ Specific profile of each participant is not

known

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Conclusion

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Conclusion

Gender affects students’ behavioral regulations towards NAPFA

◉ Male students are much more internally motivated than female students

◉ Hypothesis stands

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Assistant Professor Masato Kawabata and Ms Bern Bree Ashley for their continuous guidance throughout this project. We would also like to thank NTU for their support and for organising the Nanyang Research Programme Junior. Lastly, we would like to thank Mr Lim Lee for his support and help during the course of this project.

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Any questions ?

Thank you!

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