Abstract
The importance of physical education (PE) enjoyment in promoting adolescent participation in physical activity (PA) is generally recognized. However, research findings indicate a !-onsistent decline in enjoyment of PE among students, especially high school students. This decline has been partly attributed to a lack of understanding of the processes that underlie enjoyment of PE. Utilizing a framework of sport enjoyment proposed by Scanlan and Lewthwaite (1986), the present study examined a model of PE enjoyment processes and PA involvement among adolescents aged ll to 16 years. The sample consisted of 203 Westem Australian adolescents (Mean age = 13.5, SD = 0.98). Participants completed self-report measures of PE teaching processes and PAinvolvement. The model was analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling. The results revealed an acceptable measurement fit of the model i /-: = 46.21, df = 19, p <.001; RMR = .03; CFI = .97; RMSEA =-08). Furthermore, significant unstandardized regression weights s'ere also obtained for all of the paths loadings indicating a good structural fit. The model was also tested for group invariance. The results revealed a nonsignificant model invariance between male and female samples (rxt = 5.3,p = .51).The findings support the notion that PE enjoyment is important in promoting adolescent PA. To promote PE enjoyment, we believe that certain number of processes, particularly activity-related excitement, should be sonsidered when structuring the PE program.