ACHIEVEMENT GOALS IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORT AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN LEISURE ON STUDENTS FROM SPAIN, COSTA RICA AND MEXICO

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study is to determine relationships between gender, behavior of practice, level of physical activity during leisure time and stages of change according to goal orientations of students in Secondary Education. The sample consisted of 2168 students, randomly selected to participate in a lengthy study, from Costa Rica (423), Mexico (408) and Spain (1337). With 1052 boys, 1037 girls and 79 of unknown gender, aged between 11 and 16 years (M = 12.49, SD = .81). It was concluded that variables analyzed in sport and physical activity during leisure time of students are positively associated with a higher perception of achievement goals. At the same time, according to literature reviewed, there is a higher prediction of practice. This data offers positive characteristics of Physical Education (PE), in addition, objectives of PE could be oriented to promote physical activity during leisure time among students.