Interdisciplinary teaching of physics in physical education: Effects on students' autonomous motivation and satisfaction

Abstract

Purpose: This quasi-experimental study evaluated the effects on students' autonomous motivation and satisfaction from a program integrating physics concepts in physical education. Method: A total of 487 students (age 13 ± 1) participated in the study. The participants were students participating in physical education classes divided into intervention (n = 183), comparison, and control condition (n = 150 and n = 154, respectively). Before the intervention and three times during its implementation, the students responded on measures of situational motivation with good construct validity. Results: The intervention increased the students' autonomous motivation and satisfaction in physical education and decreased the students' amotivation. Conclusion: An effective integration of physics concepts and physical activities can promote meaningful learning, a holistic education perspective, autonomous motivation, and wellness in physical education. © 2020 Human Kinetics, Inc.