The perception of competence in football as indicator of the students’ intention to be physically active

Abstract

Students' perceived competence determines the adherence or abandonment of sports practice. The purposes of the study were: i) to know the existing association between the perception of competence with the students’ intention to be physically active, after learning football in the Physical Education; and ii) to compare which method (Tactical Games Approach or Direct Instruction) cause that the students feel more competent and greater interest for continuing to practice this sport. The effect exerted by gender and football experience was also analysed. A total of 41 students participated in the study, distributed in two class-groups. Each class-group followed a different program: fifth level, group A (tactical program, n = 20) and fifth level, group B (technical program, n = 21). The competence psychological need was calculated through the Basic Psychological Needs in Exercise Scale and sport adherence using the Intentionally Measure to be Physically Active Questionnaire. Spearman’ correlation shown that the more competence in football, the degree of sport adherence is greater. The Mann-Whitney’s U test indicated that there are no statistical differences according to the teaching method; however, the tactical program students shown a higher perceived competence. The gender and football experience of the students influenced the perceived competence and adherence to sports. This incidence was calculated using ANCOVA. For this reason, it is necessary to use comprehensive methods in the context of Physical Education for the development of competence and sport adherence to football, emphasizing of the female and the inexperienced students.