Parental sports experience and children's participation in after-school sports activities

This study examines the impact of parents' sports experience on children's involvement in extracurricular sports activities. Children's participation in sports is influenced by a variety of factors, with the influence of parents identified as a key component. Previous studies have shown that parental support and the examples they set are important in the development of children's sports habits (Gould & Carson, 2008; Jackson & Johnson, 2013). Parents influence not only through practical and emotional support but also through role modelling, cultural beliefs, and economic resources (Tucker & Gill, 2016). The study was based on an analysis of data from a survey conducted with 265 elementary school students, assessing the connection between parents' sports experience and children's participation in after-school sports activities. The results showed that 54% of students engaged in extracurricular sports activities had parents with a sports background, compared to only 23% of those who were not involved. Statistical analysis revealed a strong positive correlation between parents' sports experience and children's sports participation, with a very low p-value (p < .000001). This indicates that parents play a significant role in the development of children's sports habits, while other factors such as family culture and financial support contribute to their motivation and involvement (Vella et al., 2017). This study suggests that improving participation in physical activities can be achieved through active parental involvement and the creation of equal opportunities for all children, regardless of socio-economic status.