Perceived Constraints on Extracurricular Sports Recreation Activities among Students. The Case Study of

Schools of Livadia City in Greece

Christos Damianidis,1 Charilaos Kouthouris1 & Konstantinos Alexandris2

1Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Hellas2

2Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Hellas

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the perception of constraints on extracurricular sports recreation among students, inhabitants of Livadia city in Greece. In particular, the factors investigated were: a) the extracurricular sports recreation constraints among high school students and middle school students, b) the constraints among males and females, and c) the constraints among athletes and non-athletes. The sample was 643 students (50.2% males, 49.8% females) of public middle and high schools in Livadia. The sample was chosen with analogical stratified sampling method. For the measurement of extracurricular sports recreation constraints an adapted version of Alexandris & Carroll’s (1997b) questionnaire was used. The MANOVA results indicated that: a) high school students noted statisticaly significant higher score (p<.001) than middle school students. b) females noted statisticaly significant higher scores in all constraint factors than males (p<.001), c) athletes noted statisticaly significant lower scores in all constraint factors than nonathletes (p<.001). Results of the study stressed the need for more opportunities to increase the participation of students on extracurricular sport recreation activities with support of authorities, parents and specialists.

Key words: perceived constraints, extracurricular sports recreation activities, high and middle school students