Influence of the satisfaction and importance of physical education on sports dropout in secondary school

The aim of the study was to analyse the influence that satisfaction, boredom and importance attributed by students to the subject of physical education have on extracurricular sports dropout, associating the factors and determining the reasons for abandon. A cross-sectional design was used with a sample of 925 secondary school students aged between 12 and 18, 263 of whom had dropped out of sport. An ad hoc questionnaire, the Satisfaction Scale adapted to physical education (ES-EF), the Importance of Physical Education Scale (IEF) and the Scale of Reasons for dropping out of physical activity were applied. Students who had abandoned out showed intermediate values of satisfaction and importance with the subject. The main reason for dropping out was lack of time. Girls showed higher dropout rates. Satisfaction negatively predicted personal reasons for abandon, importance and boredom were positive predictors of environmental/social and attitudinal reasons respectively. In conclusion, PE teachers should implement satisfaction-enhancing methodologies, taking into account possible student burnout.