Family and Social Influences on Children's Physical Activity and Participation in a Community Sporting Event

Abstract

Purpose: The primary purpose of this study was to assess the influence of family and other social factors predictive of children's participation in regular physical activity (PA). A second aim of the study was to explore the barriersto children's participation in a community sporting event-the Sanirtarium TRYathlon. Methods: A survey instrument was administered to 210 students in Years 4, 5, and 6 and their parents. The students answered questions relating to their participation in PA, self-efficacy for PA, and barriers to participation in PA. Parents completed a survey that elucidated supportive behaviours towards their child's PA and profiled their child's typical weekly PA.Factors influencing the child's participation in the school-promoted Sanitarium TRYathlon were explored.Results: Using path analysis, results showed there was a strong positive correlation between parental encouragement and the students involvement in both organised and unorganised physical activity (r=O.44). Correspondingly, the major barriers to participation in the TRYathlon were alternative family plans (52%) and lack of transport to the event (32%). Overall, the children reported high levels of self-esteem and self-efficacy towards PA, butthis had no influence on their involvement in organised nr unorganised physical activity. Conclusion:These findings provide further evidence that the parent remains among one of the greatest influences on children's PA habits.