Strategies to increase students' physical activity levels in physical education class: The effect of physical education teachers' physical activity and perceived physical literacy levels

The research was carried out to determine the physical activity and physical literacy levels of physical education teachers, and then to determine the opinions of physical education teachers about physical education lesson and about increasing the physical activity levels of students. In this framework, sequential explanatory mixed design, which includes both quantitative and qualitative dimensions, was used in the study. The sample of the research consisted of 383 physical education teachers working in public schools affiliated to the Ministry of National Education. 'Personal Information Form', 'International Physical Activity Questionnaire (Short Form)' and 'Perceived Sports Literacy Scale' were used as data collection tools in the research. In the analysis of the data, arithmetic mean and standard deviation techniques from descriptive statistics were used. In addition, t-test for independent groups in pairwise comparisons and one-way analysis of variance (Anova) in multiple comparisons were used. Tukey test was used to determine the source of variance. In the study, Pearson correlation coefficient technique was used to determine the relationship between the variables and multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine the predictors of the variables. Theme, descriptive and content analysis methods were used in the analysis of qualitative data. It was determined that the physical activity levels of the physical education teachers in the research sample were at a medium level and their physical literacy levels were at a very high level. In addition, a significant difference was found in the level of physical activity in terms of gender and type of school variables. In the study, a significant difference was found in the level of physical literacy in terms of educational status, physical education course infrastructure of the school, participation in national or international congresses related to the field, and licensed sports. In the study, it was also determined that there was a positive and significant relationship between physical education teachers' physical activity and physical literacy levels; physical activity level was found to be a significant predictor of physical literacy level. In the qualitative part of the study, physical education teachers stated that physical conditions, students, teachers, parents and administration can prevent the curriculum and program in the physical education lesson. They also stated that they generally took physical activity lessons during their undergraduate education and it was beneficial for them. They stated that lack of sports hall, lack of sports area, lack of materials and climatic factors are generally obstacles to physical education lessons. On the other hand, as a physical activity strategy, they listed encouragement to physical activity, different practices, physical conditions and lesson hours.