Role of significant others in swimming participation
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Date
2008
Authors
Mwihaki, G. M.
Simiyu, Njororai W. W.
Wanderi, P. M.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Makerere University
Abstract
Initiating and sustammg participation in any activity is as a result of efforts and
influences of significant others such as parents, who raise the child, siblings with whom
ode grows up with, friends in the neighbourhood or in school and teachers or coaches
encountered in school. Numerous studies have consistently shown the role of these
significant others on participation in physical activities. Their influence has been shown
to vary with age of participant and can either be positive or negative. The study set out to
establish if there was a relationship between significant others (parents, peers, teachers or
coaches) and participation in swimming in secondary schools. Further, the study sought
to establish the influence of significant others across gender and type of school. The
study targeted a .population of Form three and two students. Purposive stratified and
random sampling was used to select the sample, consisting of 24 secondary schools. Six
hundred students responded to the questionnaires. T-test for equality of means, multiple
regression and descriptive stastistics were used for data analysis. Teachers had the
highest positive influence (91.3%) among the respondents followed by parents (30.7%)
and peers (13.2%) in that order. Across gender, parental influence was higher among
females (44.2%) compared to males (23%).Teachers' influence was higher among
females (94%) compared to males (89.8%). Peer influence was higher among males
(14.9%) compared to females (10.1%).Across type of school, teachers' influence was
higher in mixed schools (92.6%) compared to single sex schools (90.9%). Parental
influence was higher in single sex schools (32.3%) compared to mixed schools (25.7%).
Peers influence was highest in mixed schools (16.9%) compared to single sex schools
(11.9%). Only peers were found to significantly influence participation at p~O.05. They
had a negative influence (t=-3.45) as they did not encourage participation in swimming.
Specifically, this negative influence was significant at p:SO.05 among males. From these
findings the following recommendations were made. Kenya Swimming Federation
should improve its marketing strategies so as to attract sponsors, both private and public.
This will increase the awards at stake, providing more tangible rewards like school fees
payments, local educational scholarships thus attract more participants. This would also
reduce or eliminate costs by parents, hence encourage their children to participate.
Description
A paper presented at the 5th all African university games Kampala 2008 pre-games conference 3rd-5th July 2008
Keywords
participation, significant others