MOTIVATIONAL FACTORS ENCOURAGING GIRLS AGED 6-12 TO PURSUE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
MOTIVATIONAL FACTORS ENCOURAGING GIRLS AGED 6-12 TO PURSUE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Author(s): Tal Aloni Rozen
Subject(s): Economy, Socio-Economic Research
Published by: Editura Universităţii »Alexandru Ioan Cuza« din Iaşi
Keywords: physical activity; frequency of physical activity; behavioral change; Athena project in Israel; motivational factors;
Summary/Abstract: This paper aims to better understand the reasons that prevent girls from engaging in sport by focusing on the research question: “What motivational factors affect the physical activity frequency of Israeli girls and female adolescents aged 6-12?” The research instrument is a semi-structured interview, designed to examine factors that may motivate Israeli girls and young female adolescents to be more physically active. The interviews have been conducted between July 2021-March 2022. The research participants are varied from girls involved in competitive sports, parents of competitive girls, women who have formerly been active players and decision-makers, both in academia and management sports positions. Three main themes in the category of motivation have been obtained from the interviews: 1. The parents as a role model, the parents' encouragement, the parents’ funding of the sports activity; 2. The Built-in / affirmative action for women's sports - religious, cultural, and traditional - the attitude towards women’s involved in sports; and 3. The exposure to sports at young age. This paper may contribute to the identification of the motivational factors that affect the frequency of physical activity of Israeli girls and female adolescents aged 6-12. Moreover, it suggests further research of possible efforts exerted to encourage girls (aged 6-12) to be more engaged in physical activity.

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