Principles of forming motivation for physical activity among secondary school students

For some students, physical education classes are the only opportunity to learn and practice sports, physical exercises, and healthy lifestyle habits. Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine the motives, needs, and interests of middle school students in forming their motivation for physical activity. Methods: The research methods employed in this study were diverse and comprehensive. At the theoretical level, a range of general scientific research methods were utilized, including deduction, analysis, synthesis, systematization, and generalization, to form a comprehensive picture of the topic’s issues. To obtain the necessary data according to the research objective at the empirical level, a set of adequate methods was used, such as the sociological method of written survey (using a self-developed questionnaire) and methods of mathematical statistics. The study involved 152 students (79 boys and 73 girls), specifically secondary school students from the 5th, 7th, and 9th grades. All participants belonged to the main medical group Results: the study showed that the majority of students have a positive attitude towards physical education classes, but there is a need to increase the time allocated to this subject and diversify the types of physical activity. It was found that student motivation is multifaceted and depends on age and gender, as well as individual interests and needs. Important factors include strengthening health, improving mood, developing a sporty physique, and social interaction. The study also revealed that homework in physical education is not a common practice, and the assessment of student achievements requires improvement. Students prefer health-improving and developmental tasks in classes, and the interest in developing physical qualities increases with age. Conclusions: The findings indicate the necessity of an individualized approach to physical education that considers the motivational needs and interests of various student groups. Improving assessment methods and lesson planning will enhance the effectiveness of physical education classes and make them more engaging for students