Author(s): Vishnu U Pethkar

Abstract:
The purpose of this research was to compare the gender wise differences in physical activity readiness, motives and decisional balance of physical activity among school children. For this descriptive comparative survey method was used. Total of 108 students (57 boys and 51 girls) from secondary schools in Pune city were selected as sample. Physical activity readiness was determined using stages of transtheoretical model, Motives or reasons for participation in physical activity was measured with the help of 30 item questionnaire developed by Kaczynski (2007). Scale comprised of 5 reasons namely, Enjoyment, Fitness, Social, Appearance, and Competence. Each reason consisted of 6 statements and all items to be rated on a 5-point likert scale ranging from strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (5). A 16-item scale developed by Marcus, Rakowski, and Rossi (1992) was used to assess student’s perceived “pros” and “cons” of physical activity. Ten items assess pros of physical activity, while six items assess cons of physical activity. Decisional balance represents the difference between summary scores for the pros and cons scales. Result shows that majority of the students are at preparation stage and some at action stage who needs to progress to maintenance stage as soon as possible. Fitness followed by Competence are the two important reasons why boys and girls participate in physical activity and Appearance is the list important reason for participation. Boys showed statistically stronger reason for participation in physical activity for all the five motives. Decisional balance score is positive indicating greater perceptions of pros of physical activity. On comparing the gender wise differences in scores of decisional balance of physical activity, there is no significant difference at 0.05 level of significance

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