Factors Associated with the Enjoyment of Physical Education Class for Children with Special Educational Needs

Julie Dalgaard Guldager (), Laura Mørk Emtoft, Line Nørgaard Remmen and Anette Lisbeth Bentholm
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Julie Dalgaard Guldager: Research Department, University College South Denmark, 6705 Esbjerg, Denmark
Laura Mørk Emtoft: Center for Teaching and Learning, University College Absalon, 4760 Vordingborg, Denmark
Line Nørgaard Remmen: Department of Occupational Therapy, University College South Denmark, 6705 Esbjerg, Denmark
Anette Lisbeth Bentholm: Department of Social Education, University College North, 9800 Hjørring, Denmark

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 5, 1-14

Abstract: Enjoying physical education class (PE) is important for children with special educational needs (SEN) due to its impact on their physical and mental health. However, there is a research gap concerning children with SEN and their enjoyment of PE. This exploratory study investigated how school children with and without SEN report enjoyment of physical education class and explored associated factors. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among school children with and without SEN. Both groups reported very high enjoyment of PE, but children without SEN had higher enjoyment. Among children with SEN, boys, those attending schools in East Denmark, and those engaged in leisure physical activity reported higher enjoyment levels, while children from larger schools consistently reported lower enjoyment levels. Understanding the differences in PE enjoyment between children with and without SEN is crucial for educators and policymakers to develop inclusive practices that ensure equitable experiences for all children, fostering a positive and supportive environment in school PE programs. Our findings highlight nuanced differences in PE enjoyment perceptions between children with and without SEN, emphasizing the need to consider diverse student characteristics when designing PE programs to enhance overall enjoyment.

Keywords: special education; physical education; primary school; secondary school; pleasure (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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