Features of Engaging the Population in Physical Culture and Sports Activities Considering Gender and Age Differences

Abstract

The article highlights the problem of forming population motivation for participation in physical culture and sports in modern Ukraine. The relevance of the study is determined by the decline in the level of daily physical activity, the increase in psycho-emotional stress, as well as the impact of martial law on the population’s lifestyle. The purpose of the study was to identify the peculiarities of population motivation for participation in physical culture and sports, taking into account gender and age differences, as well as to determine the actual level of respondents’ involvement in physical activity. Research methods: theoretical analysis and generalization of scientific and methodological literature, questionnaire survey using the adapted questionnaire “Motivation for Participation in Physical Culture and Sports” (based on A. V. Hakman), and methods of statistical data processing. The study involved 830 respondents, and the survey was conducted in the summer of 2024 in Kyiv region. It was found that 60,0 % of respondents engage in physical culture and sports in their free time, while 40,0 % do not have regular physical activity. Pronounced gender differences were revealed: among men, 70,6 % were physically active, while among women this figure was 53,2 %. A clear age-related tendency toward a decline in physical activity was proven: if 74,7 % of respondents under 18 years of age were active, then in the 36-60 age group this figure was 44,3 %, and among persons aged 61 years and older only 10,0 %. Women aged 36 years and older, as well as persons of both sexes aged 61+, were identified as the most vulnerable risk groups regarding hypodynamia. The obtained results confirm the need to develop differentiated programs for involving the population in physical culture and sports, taking into account gender and age characteristics, social conditions, and the challenges of wartime. Prospects for further research are related to studying motivational barriers to physical activity and creating effective models for stimulating the population to engage in physical culture and sports.