Marcos Serrano-Peralta, Pedro Luis Rodríguez García, Andrés Rosa Guillamón, Eliseo García Cantó
The assessment and evaluation of perceived enjoyment as a dimension of how students value the Physical Education subject is one of the most important predictive factors determining levels of physical activity outside the school environment, within the context of a healthy lifestyle among primary school students. The aim of this study was to assess the perception of enjoyment in Physical Education classes and its relationship with physical-sports practice habits among schoolchildren in the Region of Murcia. A sample of 1.187 students aged between 10 and 12 years was obtained. These students completed the Physical Education Subject Assessment Scale (E-VADEF-e) and the Acquired Healthy Lifestyle Assessment Scale for Schoolchildren (E-VEVSA-e). Both scales have been validated and demonstrate adequate reliability and validity indices. The results indicate that boys reported significantly higher levels of both perceived enjoyment in Physical Education classes and physical-sports practice habits compared to girls. Furthermore, ANOVA tests showed that as the perception of enjoyment in Physical Education classes increases, the level of physical-sports practice habits also increases significantly. In conclusion, it is essential for Physical Education teachers to foster appropriate motivational climates and establish associations with positive emotions linked to classroom practice. This approach can help students develop regular and systematic physical activity habits outside the school setting.