The Influence of Social Support on Physical Activity in Different Domains among High School Students

Abstract

The aim of this research is to determine the relationship between social support for physical activity and physical activity in different domains among high school students. The sample of respondents consisted of 224 secondary school students (grammar schools, art schools and vocational schools). Of these, there were 144 female students (64.29%) and 80 male students with an average age of 16.07±1.19 and 16.16±1.11 years (M ± SD). The sample of variables consisted of questionnaires on socio-demographic characteristics, physical activity in different domains (IPAQ-A) and social support for physical exercise (SES). The results showed that there is no statistically significant difference between the physical activity variables of females and males in different domains (school – t=–0.91, p=0.37; household – t=0.01, p=0.99; transport – t=–1.83, p=0.07; leisure – t=–0.63, p=0.53), but a significant difference was shown in the social support variables, on the basis of which it can be concluded that males have greater social support from their peers (friends from school – t=–2.66, p=0.008; friends outside school – t=–3.17, p=0.001). For females, a significant positive relationship between support for physical activity (in all variables) and physical activity is only in the domain of leisure time. The results of support from family and friends from school in males showed a positive significant relationship in the domains of school, transport and leisure time, while the results of support from friends outside of school showed only a positive significant relationship in the domain of leisure time. It could be concluded that this study revealed gender differences in the support of parents and peers in physical activities in different domains, and revealed that in all students there is no significant relationship between social support (in all variables) and the domain household. Results of this study is contribution to knowledge about association of social support for physical activity and physical activity in the domains of school, household, transportation, and leisure time. The results of the research can serve as a basis for the design of quality interventions for the promotion of physical activity among high school students, which represents a very important practical contribution of this research.

DOI: 10.5671/ca.48.2.3