Improving moral competence in adolescents through non-linear pedagogy in the context of physical education and sport.

BACKGROUND: The development of moral competence seems to be an important factor in the context of youth development. The problem with lack of moral competence among youth has often been observed. Physical education (PE) as a subject in school seems to provide space in the curriculum where moral development can and should be experienced and practiced. METHODS: The participants were high school students (N.=235), divided into 4 groups: two experimental and two control groups. The difference between the experimental groups was the frequency of the experiment. The first group carried out two units a week for one semester, and the second group one lesson unit throughout the school year. As a research tool the Moral Competence Test was used. RESULTS: The results indicate statistically significant positive changes between the score of Community Index (C-Index) in pretest and post-test for both experimental group (P<0.05; η2=0.04), and between pretest and follow-up in second experimental group (P<0.05; η2=0.05). Whereas in the control groups, there were no significant changes in the comparison of terms (pretest, post-test, follow-up) (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the study, it can be determined that the curriculum of physical education, based on the model of non-linear pedagogy, can increase the level of moral competence among young people.

Is e-sport a fully-fledged sport? Moral, educational and social dilemmas of e-sport.

In this article we focus on moral issues related to sport and e-sport. We attempt to identify the role that contemporary sport and e-sport play in the education of young people. To this end, we analyse the axiological foundations of both types of sport. In our opinion, there is a difference in the impact of e-sport and sport (especially Olympic sport) as carriers of values. Sport, properly conducted in the educational process, can positively influence the moral and biological/physical development of human beings, mobilizing them to physical activity appropriate to the discipline. This important element is basically missing in e-sports. Moreover, in the process of sports training, the athlete is supported by a coach who can explain both positive and negative phenomena occurring during this process. In e-sports, the role of the coach is limited to creating game tactics and maximizing the outcome of the competition, and the question of who teaches young players in both types of sports what is morally right and wrong remains open.

Fair Play in a Context of Physical Education and Sports Behaviours.

The study examined prosocial behaviour and the perception of fair play in the context of physical education and sport (PES) in adolescents participating in sports, and those not undertaking sports at all. The aim of this study was to explore and indicate potential associations between an understanding of the concept of fair play and selected behaviours (e.g., abiding by the rules, obeying decisions of the referee and sportsmanship) in youth. In total, 1257 secondary school students, aged 16.1 ± 0.87 years (627 girls and 600 boys), were recruited. For assessing the level of fair play awareness (L), the Fair Play Moral Dimensions Concept Scale (FPMDCS) was used. To measure the declared level of prosocial behaviours of students, the survey My Physical Education Class (MPEC) was used. Participants were divided into groups in relation to training experience (no sports, amateur sports, professional sports) and subgroups, with levels according to their understanding of the Fair Play concept (L1 to L3). The results show significant difference in all dilemmas in various groups in relation to scores in subgroup L3 (p = 0.056; p = 0.012; p = 0.003) with regard to subgroups L2 and L1 in the level of understanding fair play. Overall, the percentage of respondents who view fair play only in the context of sport (L1) is 69%. Far fewer are those (31%) who understand it more broadly as a principle that applies to everyday life situations (L3). It seems to be crucial to promote moral development during PES activities, especially the value of respect.

Comparison of Physical Activity Levels in Youths before and during a Pandemic Lockdown.

This study aimed to compare physical activity (PA) levels before and during a pandemic lockdown among adolescent Polish youths in relation to meeting the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendations of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and identify potential environmental factors that may affect these levels. An online survey tool that included validated measures of adolescents' MVPA and socio-environmental, potential confounders was administered to youths (e.g., lack of classmates, motivation, possibility of choosing any physical exercise time, possibility of choosing your own exercises, home environment). The analytic sample comprised 127 adolescents aged 15.4 ± 0.5 years on average (52% girls and 48% boys). The results highlight that among adolescents who did not meet the WHO MVPA recommendations before the lockdown, 13.4% had an increased frequency of PA (from 2.9 to 5.4 day/week) (p = 0.01) during the lockdown. In the group who did meet these recommendations before the lockdown, 50% significantly decreased their level of MVPA below the WHO's recommendations (p = 0.01). Self-rated health for PA showed a significantly strong correlation with MVPA in the group of students who met the WHO recommendations before the pandemic (r = 0.76; p < 0.05) but failed to maintain that recommendation during the COVID-19 restriction. The results suggest a negative impact of the pandemic on PA undertaken by youths. Based on these results we see the need for increased action by both Physical Education (PE) teachers and parents to motivate and support youngsters in taking up systematic PA consciously.

The Role of Family Time Together in Meeting the Recommendation for Physical Activity among Primary School Children.

Family time may have an influence on children's physical activity (PA) participation or may contribute to increased sedentary behaviour. The aim of this paper was to examine whether spending family time is associated with the PA of children aged 10-11. Cross-sectional data on 158 primary school children (80 girls and 78 boys) with a mean age of 10.6 ± 0.49 years were collected. Weight and height were used to calculate body mass index. The level of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was determined with a physical activity screening measure. Participants wore a Vivofit® wrist band activity tracker to measure their daily number of steps. The Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children questionnaire was used to obtain information from children about the frequency of activities undertaken by the family. Analyses entailed descriptive statistics of the total sample and by gender, t-test, and the Mann-Whitney U-test to examine the gender differences and Spearman's correlation coefficients. It was found that 32.3% of the children did not accomplish at least 60 min per day on ≥5 of the seven days and more than 75.9% of them did not accumulate at least 12,000 or more steps daily. More boys than girls tended to be sufficiently active and met the guideline of at least 60 min per day on ≥5 of the seven days (70.5% and 65.0%, respectively) or 12,000 steps per day (25.8% and 10.0%, respectively). The number of steps during the weekday was significantly and inversely associated both in girls and in boys with active family time (r = -0.27 and r = -0.25, respectively), and with total family time (r = -0.28) and non-active family time (r = -0.25) only in boys. Average MVPA was also inversely correlated with active family time (r = -0.31), non-active family time (r = -0.24), and total family time (r = -0.29) in boys. The correlation effect size values ranged between small to medium significant differences for these measures. The findings underscore the need for community-based PA programmes designed for whole families to meet the recommended PA of children and also to develop and promote active leisure activities among families.