Sports role models in elementary school students

In: Zbornik Matice Srpske za društvene nauke: Proceedings for social sciences, Heft 150, S. 101-111

Abstract

Due to the importance of role models in youth and media coverage of athletes,
the aim of this research was to analyze the significance and characteristics
of sports role models and the existence of gender patterns in elementary
school students. Research sample consisted of 468 students aged 11-15. Sports
role models were analyzed using a modified questionnaire of Adriansee &
Crosswhite [2008]. Research results indicated that most respondents (80.8%)
had role models. Role models belong to different domains with the highest
proportion of famous athletes (31.5%) and family members (30.4%). Gender of
the respondents was significantly correlated with selection of the role
model, with sports role models being selected more often by males (49.2%)
than by females (22.5%). Within the category of sports role models, famous
athletes were highly predominant (88.1%), and most of them were males and
foreign sports stars. Since adolescence is a period when future preferences
for physical activities are developed, it is important to exploit all
possible ways of supporting the youth to develop a healthy life style, where
sports role models can have a significant influence.