Positive youth development in swimming: clarification and consensus of key psychosocial assets

The purpose of this study was to gain a more cohesive understanding of the assets considered necessary to develop in young swimmers to ensure both individual and sport specific development. This two stage study involved (a) a content analysis of key papers to develop a list of both psychosocial skills for performance enhancement and assets associated with positive youth development, and (b) in-depth interviews involving ten expert swim coaches, practitioners and youth sport scholars. Five higher order categories containing seventeen individual assets emerged. These results are discussed in relation to both existing models of positive youth development and implications for coaches, practitioners and parents when considering the psychosocial development of young British swimmers

Perceptions about exercise and intrinsic motivation of students attending a health-related physical education program

The present study examined effects of sex, attitude towards physical activity, perceived barriers for participation in physical activity, and students' perception of their parents' participation in physical activity on the intrinsic motivation of students participating in a health related program in physical education. 643 students (303 boys and 340 girls) responded to questionnaires measuring intrinsic motivation, attitudes towards physical activity, perceived barriers to exercise and perceived parents' participation in physical activity. Mean age was 12.9 yr. (SD=1.2, range 11-14 years). Analysis indicated that students' intrinsic motivation towards the program was influenced by perceived barriers to exercise. Sex, attitudes towards physical activity, and perceived parents' participation in physical activity seem to be less important

Modeling sport services in Greece: A re-evaluation of outcome dimension

The Service Quality Scale, developed to evaluate perceived service quality in sport services in Greece, was administrated to 389 participants, 208 men and 181 women. Their mean age was 36.4 yr, (SD-8.7). A confirmatory factor analysis did not support the prior five-factor solution. When the outcome dimension was removed, a four-factor model appeared an adequate fit. Practical implications are discussed. © Perceptual and Motor Skills 2006

Construct validity of the self-assessment evaluation form for the olympic education training program in Greece

The Professional Development Evaluation Form, developed to evaluate training of physical education teachers for the Olympic education program in Greece, was administered to 438 physical educators (205 men and 233 women; M age=32.2 yr., SD=9.1). A confirmatory factor analysis indicated an adequate fit of the proposed model

The relationship between intrinsic motivation and intention towards exercise

The present study examined the relationship between intrinsic motivation of pupils participating in a health-related intervention in school-based physical education and their intention to participate in exercise in the future. A total of 643 pupils completed questionnaires assessing intrinsic motivation and intention towards exercise in the future. Analysis revealed that intention toward exercise was significantly associated with intrinsic motivation. Specifically, perceived competence and enjoyment/interest appeared as the strongest predictors of intention to participate in exercise, explaining 18% of variance in intention. Results are discussed and suggestions are offered concerning ways to promote exercise and health through participation in physical education classes

Evaluation of the training program for Greek Olympic education

The aim of this study was to develop an instrument to evaluate the educational program's training. The program used for this purpose was the Olympic Education Program, which has been implemented in Greek primary and secondary schools since 2000. First, the face validity of items was evaluated, second, the pool of the items selected was factor analyzed. Exploratory factor analysis indicated a three-factor solution with high internal consistency. The instrument, Professional Development Evaluation Form of the Olympic Education Program, consisted of three factors containing 21 items. The three factors obtained were "training", "study groups", and "total impression". The results provide adequate psychometric support for the instrument. The questionnaire seems a promising tool for the evaluation of professional development procedures. Although the results were encouraging, further research would be very helpful in order to improve the instrument. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited