Investigation of attitudes towards physical education classes among anatolian high school students in Sultangazi district of İstanbul

This study aims to examine the attitudes of high school students enrolled in institutions affiliated with the National Education Directorate in the Sultangazi district of Istanbul toward physical education and sports courses, considering variables such as gender, age, number of siblings, parental education level, parental occupation, sports participation, interests, and reading frequency. The study group consisted of 700 students (414 females and 286 males) who were selected through a convenience sampling method and voluntarily agreed to participate in the research. Data were collected using a personal information form and the "High School Students' Values Scale Regarding Physical Education and Sports Lessons" developed by Yücekaya, Sağın, and Güllü (2022). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, an independent samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Tukey's post hoc test. The significance level was set at p<0.05.The findings revealed that male students scored higher in the success sub-dimension, whereas female students exhibited higher levels in the respect, sportsmanship, and sports culture sub-dimensions (p<0.05). Seventeen-year-old students demonstrated significantly higher levels of success and overall BESDLÖ compared to other age groups (p<0.05). Regarding the number of siblings, students with two siblings attained significantly higher scores in the success and national culture and solidarity sub-dimensions (p<0.05). While the mother's education level did not have a significant effect on BESDLÖ, students whose fathers held postgraduate degrees displayed higher levels in the national culture and solidarity sub-dimension (p<0.05). Additionally, students whose fathers were public servants exhibited significantly more positive attitudes in the sports culture and respect sub-dimensions (p<0.05).Students engaged in sports achieved higher scores in the success and national culture and solidarity dimensions (p<0.05). Those interested in team sports demonstrated more positive attitudes in the success, national culture and solidarity, and sports culture dimensions compared to those involved in individual sports (p<0.05). Students with an interest in music displayed more positive attitudes in the success and sportsmanship sub-dimensions (p<0.05). In terms of reading frequency, students who read books infrequently attained higher values in the success, respect, sportsmanship, and sports culture dimensions compared to those who either read frequently or did not read at all (p<0.05).In conclusion, the study determined that high school students' attitudes toward physical education and sports courses were significantly influenced by factors such as gender, age, number of siblings, parental education and occupational status, sports participation, and reading frequency. While male students exhibited more positive attitudes in the success dimension, female students demonstrated higher scores in respect, sportsmanship, and sports culture. The overall attitudes of 17-year-old students were more positive than those in other age groups. Furthermore, students who actively participated in sports, particularly team sports, attained higher scores in success and national culture dimensions. The educational and occupational status of parents, as well as reading frequency, also had significant effects on students' attitudes. Based on these findings, it is recommended that activities be designed to align with students' gender and age groups, team sports be encouraged, and reading habits related to sports be promoted.