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Influence of Basic Ski-school in Building Attitudes toward Alpine Skiing as a Leisure Time Recreational Activity

Parallel abstracts


The ski beginner's attitude toward skiing can potentially affect the success of basic alpine ski learning. This research aimed at determining the influence of alpine ski learning toward recreational alpine skiing. It included 136 alpine ski beginners (41 females and 95 males), with no previous knowledge of alpine skiing. The 26 item scale questionnaire was constructed for the purposes of this research, with both positive and negative statements toward skiing. The Likert's scale type of questionnaire was fulfilled twice during this research; initially before the start of alpine ski school, and finally at the end of the seven day alpine ski school. Out of 26 claims, positively directed differences between initial and final testing, leading to attitude change were detected in 20 claims. Male participants included in this study had initially more positive attitude toward alpine skiing than female participants (Mean 106.6 vs. 100.7, respectively), but after completion of seven day alpine ski school program, both female and male participants attitude became more positive (Mean 110.7 vs. 109.4, respectively). Specifically, alpine ski school program exerted positive effect on attitude change toward mountain environment (p=0.01) and winter weather (p=0.04). Because of the sedentary way in which today's children and young people spend their free time, it is of utmost importance not only to interest them in physical activity in start, but also to maintain their interest in physical activity through formation of positive attitude toward it. Our results show how alpine ski program can positively affect ski beginner's attitude toward alpine skiing and how ski instructors, through simple questionnaire can identify potential obstacles and fears of their pupils in order to choose the appropriate approach of basic ski learning.

Parallel keywords

attitudes ski beginners alpine skiing physical activity

References


Bohner, G., & Wänke, M. (2002). Attitudes and Attitude Change. London: Psychology Press.
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Hydren, J.R., Kraemer, W.J., Volek, J.S., Dunn-Lewis, C., Comstock, B.A., Szivak, T.K., Hooper, D.R., Denegar, C.R., & Maresh, C.M. (2013). Performance changes during a weeklong high-altitude alpine ski-racing training camp in lowlander young athletes. J Strength Cond Res., 27(4), 924-937.
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