Effects of Different Sporting Events on 2nd Level Elementary School Students’ Attitude Towards Physical Education and Sport Lessons, Social Skills and Self Efficacy

In this study it was aimed to determine the effects of different sporting events addition to physical education classes on 8th grader sudents’ attitude towards physical education, social skills and self efficacy. Participants included 40 8th grade students. “The Scale of Attitudes towards Physical Education Lessons” “The Matson Evaluation of Social Skills with Youngsters” “General Self Efficacy Scale” was used as measurement devices. Participants were randomly attained in control or test groups. The test group participated different physical activities in addition to regular physical education classes for ten weeks (4 lessons per week). Control group did not participate any physical activities other than regular physical education class. Measurement devices were applied to both groups before and after 10 weeks period. Correlation analyses, Mann-Whitney U Test and Wilcoxon Sign Rank Test were used to analyze data set. Considering entire sample, comparison of pre test scores between male and female participants revealed that female participants have higher level of positive social skills and self efficacy than male participants. No significant differences were found between pre and post tests results in both control and test groups. Different sporting events, in addition to physical education classes may have no effect students’ attitudes towards physical education and sports lessons, social skills and self efficacy.