Characterization of Out of Lesson and Out Of School Physical Activity of Children in Poland on the Example of Selected Primary School in Podkarpackie Province

Principal purpose of the study is characteristics of out of lesson and out of school physical activities of children in selected primary schools in the Podkarpackie province. Inspiration for undertakings originate research was the opportunity to familiarize oneself with the types of physical activity of students in their free time and the influence of formal and legal factors on the organizational level of additional physical activities. The research was conducted in 60 primary schools in the Podkarpackie province. The basic condition in selecting the schools for the research owned a proper sport facility by the school. Research was conducted in April and May, 2005. Empirical material was gathered by means of a diagnostic survey. Questionnaire of the survey included a set of closed questions. Students of physical education and headmasters of the schools were the respondents. The research indicates low level of physical activity of people of various ages. It should be assumed that this state of affairs corresponds to the state of physical education at schools. Therefore, in the search for optimal solutions, out of lesson and out of school activities should be included in the process of preparation of the young generation to physical activity in their adult lives. In conclusion, additional physical activity of children relies, to a large extent, on community service performed by teachers. Most of the times, out of lesson and out of school activities are occasional and incidental in nature and rarely constitute a part of an organized sequence of systematic events scheduled for specified points in time.