A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND LEISURE MOTIVATION SCALE (PALMS-THAI VERSION) OF THE SECONDARY EDUCATION STUDENTS, RAJAVINIT NONTHABURI SCHOOL

Abstract

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to 1) examine the motivation for physical activity and leisure time utilization of secondary school students at Rajavinit Nonthaburi School and 2) compare the motivation for physical activity and leisure time utilization among these students based on gender and grade level. The sample consisted of 333 secondary school students from Rajavinit Nonthaburi School, with 175 male students (52.6%) and 158 female students (47.4%). When categorized by grade level, 178 students (53.5%) were in lower secondary school, and 155 students (46.5%) were in upper secondary school. The research tool was the Thai version of the Motivation for Physical Activity and Leisure Time Scale, consisting of 8 components and 37 indicators: 1) enjoyment, 2) training, 3) social participation, 4) image, 5) competition/comparison with others, 6) psychological state, 7) physical state, and 8) impression /expectations from others. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, and the comparison of motivation and participation in physical activities was conducted based on gender and grade level using an independent t-test. The results revealed that comparison of the motivation for physical activity and leisure time utilization between male and female students had a statistically significant difference, in which male students engaged in more physical activity than female students. However, no statistically significant difference was found between grade levels, though lower secondary school students were found to engage in more physical activity and leisure time activities than upper secondary school students, based on the mean values.

 Keywords: Motivation, Physical activity, Leisure time