Associated factors of physical exercise participation among primary and middle school students in Jiangsu

Objective To explore associated factors that affect physical exercise participation among primary and middle school students aged 7 to 18 years in Jiangsu Province.Methods By using stratified cluster sampling,30 schools in Nanjing,Xuzhou,Suqian,Changzhou,Wuxi,Suzhou,Yangzhou and Nantong were selected from Jiangsu Province.A total of 6 847 students from grade 1 in primary schools to grade 12 in high schools conducted a questionnaire survey.Results About 53.97% of primary and middle school students regularly took part in physical exercise.With the increase of grade,the proportion of students who take part in physical exercise decreased.Of all participants,45.03% reported lack of interests in physical education class,29.07% reported dislikes of teaching methods in PE class,28.18% reported lack of sports venues and equipment,28.19% perceived low significance of sports scores in graduation,and 26.21% perceived low significance of sports scores in academic achievement.Except of gender and "dislikes of teaching methods",all factors associated with physical exercise participation(P<0.01).Conclusion Youth physical exercise participation should be coordinated by the government,school,society and family.In addition,schools and families should cooperate with each other to make physical exercise as part of the daily life and promote healthy lifestyle among primary and secondary students.