2011, Volume 7, Issue 2
Martial arts in the opinions of students at the Faculty of Physical Education
Władysław Jagiełło1, Marcin Dornowski1
1Academy of Physical Education and Sport in Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
Author for correspondence: Władysław Jagiełło; Academy of Physical Education and Sport in Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland; email: wjagiello1[at]wp.pl
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Abstract
Background and Study Aim: The importance of martial arts in physical development of children and youth is confirmed by extensive scientific research. The main advantages of martial arts are not, however, limited only to the biological sphere. They are highly assessed primarily for mental values, the pedagogical ones as well as the utilitarian ones. Hence the main cognitive aspect of the study was to find out opinions of future Physical Education teachers on the issue of significance of martial arts in widely understood physical education of children and youth.
Material and Methods: 225 students of the first year at the Physical Education Faculty at the Academy of Physical Education and Sport (AWFiS) in Gdańsk were involved in the study. Among the studied subjects 75% practise or have practised sport at the competitive level. The subjects realised a full-time programme of studies. A diagnostic survey with the application of the authors' own questionnaire was the basic study tool. The questionnaire was anonymous and consisted of the so-called certificate and two parts. The first part of the questionnaire regarded the significance of martial arts in physical education of children and youth. The second part regarded the assessment of the organisation and conduct of classes.
Results: Students at AWFiS in Gdańsk highly assess educational values of martial arts. A vast majority of the respondents (95%) think that elements of martial arts should be applied in the process of physical education of children and youth. Fun forms of fight and shaping exercises with a partner proved especially attractive in the respondents' opinions. The respondents also indicate the high meritorious level of the classes (98%). They regard particularly highly the punctuality or starting and ending the class, teachers' objectivity and the clarity of realised aims.
Conclusions: Therefore, one may suppose that, knowing the usual values of martial arts, prospective, well-educated teachers will actively include them in the syllabus of a PE lesson. Yet, until these sports are in the basic curriculum at academies of physical education, such a claim with only remain a hypothesis.
Key words: physical culture, physical education , students