Quality of Life and Its Association with Physical Activity, Physical Fitness, and Enjoyment of Physical Education in Youth: A Study on Gender Differences
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7160/eriesj.2025.180104Keywords:
health-related quality of life, physical activity, physical fitness, enjoyment in PE, gender differences, KIDSCREENAbstract
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among adolescents, with declines in physical activity (PA) and fitness (PF), partly due to school closures. Physical education (PE) in schools plays a crucial role in promoting well-being and PA. Research suggests gender differences in PA and PF, and also in responses to PE.
A total of 176 adolescents (48.3% girls; mean age 15.6 ± 0.6) reported gender, age, weekly PA, HRQoL (Kidscreen-10), and enjoyment in PE (FEFS-J). PF was assessed using the German motor performance test 6-18.
Results showed that girls had significantly lower HRQoL and enjoyment in PE scores than boys, but not in PA or PF. Significant positive correlations between HRQoL and all 3 dimensions of PE enjoyment were found in girls (rs = 0.31-0.54), while in boys, only pleasure showed a significant correlation with HRQoL (rs=0.32). Multiple regression analyses showed that pleasure in PE was positively associated with HRQoL for both girls (beta=0.49; R2=0.30) and boys (beta=0.52; R2=0.09).
In conclusion, the results highlight the importance of enjoyment in PE for HRQoL in both genders. Teachers should adapt their planned activities considering the different manner in which enjoyment of PE is experienced by boys and girls.
References
Arnett, J. J. (2001) ‘Conceptions of the Transition to Adulthood: Perspectives From Adolescence Through Midlife’, Journal of Adult Development, Vol. 8, No. 2, pp. 133–143. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026450103225
Bailey, R., Hillman, C., Arent, S. and Petitpas, A. (2013) ‘Physical activity: An underestimated investment in human capital?’, Journal of Physical Activity and Health, Vol. 10, No. 3, pp. 289–308. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.10.3.289
Berki, T., Csányi, T. and Tóth, L. (2024) ‘Associations of physical activity and physical education enjoyment with self-concept domains among Hungarian adolescents’, BMC Psychology, Vol. 12, No. 1, pp. 449. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-01953-w
Biddle, S. J. H., Ciaccioni, S., Thomas, G. and Vergeer, I. (2019) ‘Physical activity and mental health in children and adolescents: An updated review of reviews and an analysis of causality’, Psychology of Sport and Exercise, Vol. 42, pp. 146–155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2018.08.011
Bös, K., Schlenker, L., Albrecht, C., Büsch, D., Lämmle, L., Müller, H., Oberger, J., Seidel I., Tittlbach, S. and Woll, A. (2009) Deutscher Motorik-Test 6-18. Erarbeitet vom ad-hoc-Ausschuss „Motorische Tests für Kinder und Jugendliche“ der Deutschen Vereinigung für Sportwissenschaft, Vol. 186.
Bossmann, T., Woll, A. and Wagner, I. (2023) ‘Einflussfaktoren von Freude im Sportunterricht’, Hofmann-Verlag. https://doi.org/10.5445/IR/1000170070
Brazo-Sayavera, J., Aubert, S., Barnes, J. D., González, S. A. and Tremblay, M. S. (2021) ‘Gender differences in physical activity and sedentary behavior: Results from over 200,000 Latin-American children and adolescents’, PloS One, Vol. 16, No. 8, p. e0255353. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0255353
Cadenas-Sanchez, C., Mena-Molina, A., Torres-Lopez, L. V., Migueles, J. H., Rodriguez-Ayllon, M., Lubans, D. R. and Ortega, F. B. (2021) ‘Healthier Minds in Fitter Bodies: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Association between Physical Fitness and Mental Health in Youth’, Sports Medicine, Vol. 51, No. 12, pp. 2571–2605. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-021-01520-y
Cairney, J., Kwan, M. Y., Velduizen, S., Hay, J., Bray, S. R. and Faught, B. E. (2012) ‘Gender, perceived competence and the enjoyment of physical education in children: a longitudinal examination’, The International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, Vol. 9, p. 26. https://doi.org/10.1186/1479-5868-9-26
Cárcamo, C., Moreno, A. and Del Barrio, C. (2021) ‘Girls Do Not Sweat: the Development of Gender Stereotypes in Physical Education in Primary School’, Human Arenas, Vol. 4, No. 2, pp. 196–217. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42087-020-00118-6
Caspersen, C., Powell, K. and Christenson, G. (1985) ‘Physical activity, exercise, and physical fitness: definitions and distinctions for health-related research’, Public Health Rep, Vol. 100, No. 2, pp. 126–131.
Cohen, J. (1988) Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences, 2nd Edition, Hillsdale: N.J.: L. Erdlbaum Associates.
Dasso, N. A. (2019) ‘How is exercise different from physical activity? A concept analysis’, Nursing Forum, Vol. 54, No. 1, pp. 45–52. https://doi.org/10.1111/nuf.12296
Deci, E. L. and Ryan, R. M. (2000) ‘The “What” and “Why” of Goal Pursuits: Human Needs and the Self-Determination of Behavior’, Psychological Inquiry, Vol. 11, No. 4, pp. 227–268. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327965pli1104_01
Engels, E. and Freund, P. (2018) ‘Welche Faktoren beeinflussen das Erleben von Freude am Schulsport im Jugendalter?’, Zeitschrift Für Sportpsychologie, Vol. 25, No. 2, pp. 68–78. https://doi.org/10.1026/1612-5010/a000230
Engels, E. and Freund, P. (2019) ‘Entwicklung und Validierung eines Fragebogens zur Erfassung von Freude am Schulsport im Jugendalter (FEFS-J)’, Diagnostica, Vol. 65, No. 3, pp. 166–178. https://doi.org/10.1026/0012-1924/a000222
Fierro-Suero, S., Castillo, I., Almagro, B. J. and Saénz-López, P. (2023) ‘The role of motivation and emotions in physical education: understanding academic achievement and the intention to be physically active’, Frontiers in Psychology, Vol. 14, p. 1253043. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1253043
Frömel, K., Groffik, D., Kudláček, M., Šafář, M., Zwierzchowska, A. and Mitáš, J. (2022) ‘The Differences in Physical Activity Preferences and Practices among High versus Low Active Adolescents in Secondary Schools’, Sustainability, 14, p. 891. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14020891
Gall, S., Walter, C., Du Randt, R., Adams, L., Joubert, N., Müller, I., Nqweniso, S., Pühse, U., Seelig, H., Smith, D., Steinmann, P., Utzinger, J. and Gerber, M. (2020) ‘Changes in Self-Reported Physical Activity Predict Health-Related Quality of Life Among South African Schoolchildren: Findings From the DASH Intervention Trial’, Frontiers in Public Health, Vol. 8, p. 492618. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2020.492618
Haile, S. R., Peralta, G. P., Raineri, A., Rueegg, S., Ulyté, A. e, Puhan, M. A., Radtke, T. and Kriemler, S. (2024) ‘Determinants of health-related quality of life in healthy children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: Results from a prospective longitudinal cohort study’, European Journal of Pediatrics, Vol. 183, No. 5, pp. 2273–2283. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-024-05459-w
Inchley J., Currie D., Budisavljevic S., Torsheim T., Jåstad A., Cosma A., Kelly C. and Arnarsson Á. M. (2020) ‘Spotlight on adolescent health and well-being. Findings from the 2017/2018 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey in Europe and Canada. International report. Volume 1. Key findings’, Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office for Europe. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
Inchley, J. C., Stevens, G. W. J. M., Samdal, O. and Currie, D. B. (2020) ‘Enhancing Understanding of Adolescent Health and Well-Being: The Health Behaviour in School-aged Children Study’, The Journal of Adolescent Health : Official Publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, Vol. 66, No. 6S, pp. S3–S5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.03.014
Hascher T., Baillod J. (2005) ‘Das Wohlbefinden von Schülerinnen und Schülern und seine Bedeutung für die Schulsportforschung’, Schulsportforschung im Spannungsfeld von Empirie und Hermeneutik, pp. 129-148.
Herrmann, C., Seiler S. and Niederkofler B. (2016) ‘“Was ist guter Sportunterricht?“ Dimensionen der Unterrichtsqualität’, Sportunterricht, Jg. 65(3), pp. 77-82.
Kirk, D. (2020) Physical education and curriculum study: A critical introduction, London: Routledge.
Kretschmer, L., Salali, G. D., Andersen, L. B., Hallal, P. C., Northstone, K., Sardinha, L. B., … Bann, D. (2023) ‘Gender differences in the distribution of children’s physical activity: evidence from nine countries’, The International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, Vol. 20, No. 1, pp. 103. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-023-01496-0
Krug, S., Jekauc, D., Poethko-Müller, C., Woll, A. and Schlaud, M. (2012) ‘Zum Zusammenhang zwischen körperlicher Aktivität und Gesundheit bei Kindern und Jugendlichen. Ergebnisse des Kinder- und Jugendgesundheitssurveys (KiGGS) und des Motorik-Moduls (MoMo)’, Bundesgesundheitsblatt, Gesundheitsforschung, Gesundheitsschutz, Vol. 55, No. 1, pp. 111–120. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00103-011-1391-1
Latino, F. and Tafuri, F. (2023) ‘Physical Activity and Academic Performance in School-Age Children: A Systematic Review’, Sustainability, Vol. 15, No. 8, p. 6616. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15086616
Leisterer, S. and Paschold, E. (2022) ‘Increased perceived autonomy-supportive teaching in physical education classes changes students’ positive emotional perception compared to controlling teaching’, Frontiers in Psychology, Vol. 13, p. 1015362. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1015362
Mateo-Orcajada, A., González-Gálvez, N., Abenza-Cano, L. and Vaquero-Cristóbal, R. (2022) ‘Differences in Physical Fitness and Body Composition Between Active and Sedentary Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis’, Journal of Youth and Adolescence, Vol. 51, No. 2, pp. 177–192. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-021-01552-7
McMahon, E.M., Corcoran, P., O’Regan, G., Keeley, H., Cannon, M., Carli, V., Wasserman, C., Hadlaczky, G., Sarchiapone, M., Apter, A., Balazs, J., Balint, M., Bobes, J., Brunner, R., Cozman, D., Haring, C., Iosue, M., Kaess, M., Kahn, J.P., Nemes, B., Podlogar, T., Poštuvan, V., Sáiz, P., Sisask, M., Tubiana, A., Värnik, P., Hoven, C. W. and Wasserman, D. (2017) ‘Physical activity in European adolescents and associations with anxiety, depression and well-being’, Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry, 26, pp. 111-122. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-016-0875-9
Meade, T. and Dowswell, E. (2015) ‘Health-related quality of life in a sample of Australian adolescents: gender and age comparison’, Quality of Life Research, Vol. 24, No. 12, pp. 2933–2938. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-015-1033-4
Meyer, U., Schindler, C., Zahner, L., Ernst, D., Hebestreit, H., van Mechelen, W., Brunner-La Rocca, HP., Probst-Hensch, N., Puder, J. and Kriemler, S. (2014) ‘Long-term effect of a school-based physical activity program (KISS) on fitness and adiposity in children: a cluster-randomized controlled trial’, PloS One, Vol. 9, No. 2, p. e87929. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0087929
Michel, B., Bisegger, C., Fuhr, D. and Abel, T. (2009) ‘Age and gender differences in health-related quality of life of children and adolescents in Europe: A multilevel analysis’, Quality of Life Research, Vol. 18, No. 9, pp. 947–960. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-009-9538-3
Midgley, C., DeBues-Stafford, G., Lockwood, P. and Thai, S. (2021) ‘She Needs to See it to be it: The Importance of Same-Gender Athletic Role Models’, Sex Roles, Vol. 85, No. 3–4, pp. 142–160. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-020-01209-y
Moksnes, U.K., Løhre, A., Lillefjell, M., Byrne, D.G. and Haugan G. (2016) ‘The Association Between School Stress, Life Satisfaction and Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents: Life Satisfaction as a Potential Mediator’, Soc Indic Res, 125, pp. 339–357. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-014-0842-0
Neil-Sztramko, S. E., Caldwell, H. and Dobbins, M. (2021) ‘School-based physical activity programs for promoting physical activity and fitness in children and adolescents aged 6 to 18’, The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Vol. 2021, No. 9, p. CD007651. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD007651.pub3
Peuters, C., Maenhout, L., Cardon, G., de Paepe, A., DeSmet, A., Lauwerier, E., Leta, K. and Crombez, G. (2024) ‘A mobile healthy lifestyle intervention to promote mental health in adolescence: a mixed-methods evaluation’, BMC Public Health, Vol. 24, No. 1, pp. 44. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-17260-9
Poitras, V. J., Gray, C. E., Borghese, M. M., Carson, V., Chaput, J.-P., Janssen, I., Katzmarzyk, P., Pate, R., Connor Gorber, S., Kho, M., Sampson, M. and Tremblay, M. S. (2016) ‘Systematic review of the relationships between objectively measured physical activity and health indicators in school-aged children and youth’, Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism = Physiologie Appliquee, Nutrition et Metabolisme, Vol. 41, No. 6 Suppl 3, pp. S197–239. https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2015-0663
Ravens-Sieberer, U., Erhart, M., Rajmil, L., Herdman, M., Auquier, P., Bruil, J., Power, M., Duer, W., Abel, T., Czemy, L., Mazur, J., Czimbalmos, A., Tountas, Y., Hagquist, C. and Kilroe, J. (2010) ‘Reliability, construct and criterion validity of the KIDSCREEN-10 score: a short measure for children and adolescents’ well-being and health-related quality of life’, Quality of Life Research, Vol. 19, No. 10, pp. 1487–1500. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-010-9706-5
Ravens-Sieberer, U., Gosch, A., Erhart, M., von Rueden, U., Nickel, J. and Kurth, B. (2006) The KIDSCREEN ques-tionnaires. Quality of life questionnaires for children and adolescents. Handbook, Groß-Umstadt: Pabst Science Publishers.
Ravens-Sieberer, U., Herdman, M., Devine, J., Otto, C., Bullinger, M., Rose, M. and Klasen, F. (2014a) ‘The European KIDSCREEN approach to measure quality of life and well-being in children: development, current application, and future advances’, Quality of Life Research, Vol. 23, No. 3, pp. 791–803. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-013-0428-3
Ravens-Sieberer, U., Voss, C., Reiss, F., Wüstner, A. and Otto, C. (2019) ‘Messung gesundheitsbezogener Lebensqualität im Kindes- und Jugendalter’, Public Health Forum, Vol. 27, No. 3, pp. 177–182. https://doi.org/10.1515/pubhef-2019-0034
Ravens-Sieberer, U., Wille, N. and Bettge, S. (2014b) ‘KIDSCREEN-10 – Messinstrument zur Erfassung der gesundheitsbezogenen Lebensqualität bei Kindern und Jugendlichen’, Gesundheitswesen, Vol. 66, No. 12, pp. 702–709.
Rocliffe, P., Adamakis, M., O’Keeffe, B. T., Walsh, L., Bannon, A., Garcia-Gonzalez, L., Chambers, F., Stylianou, M., Sherwin, I., Mannix-McNamara, P. and MacDonncha, C. (2024) ‘The Impact of Typical School Provision of Physical Education, Physical Activity and Sports on Adolescent Mental Health and Well-being: A Systematic Literature Review’, Adolescent Research Review, Vol. 9, No. 2, pp. 339–364. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40894-023-00220-0
Romero-Parra, N., Solera-Alfonso, A., Bores-García, D. and Delfa-de-la-Morena, J. M. (2023) ‘Sex and educational level differences in physical activity and motivations to exercise among Spanish children and adolescents’, European Journal of Pediatrics, Vol. 182, No. 2, pp. 533–542. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-022-04742-y
Rosselli, M., Ermini, E., Tosi, B., Boddi, M., Stefani, L., Toncelli, L. and Modesti, P. A. (2020) ‘Gender differences in barriers to physical activity among adolescents’, Nutrition, Metabolism, and Cardiovascular Diseases, Vol. 30, No. 9, pp. 1582–1589. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.numecd.2020.05.005
Ruedl, G., Niedermeier, M., Posch, M., Kirschner, W., Wirnitzer, K., Cocca, A. and Greier, K. (2022) ‘Association of modifiable factors with the development of physical fitness of Austrian primary school children: A 4-year longitudinal study’, Journal of Sports Sciences, Vol. 40, No. 8, pp. 920–927. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2022.2038874
Sánchez Hernández N., Martos-García D., Soler S. and Flintoff A. (2018) ‘Challenging gender relations in PE through cooperative learning and critical reflection’, Sport, Education and Society. https://doi.org/10.1080/13573322.2018.1487836
Sasayama, K., Nonoue, K., Tada, T. and Adachi, M. (2024) ‘Continuation of extracurricular sports activities contributes to higher physical fitness and maintaining academic performance’, Sport Sciences for Health, Vol. 20, No. 4, pp. 1243–1252. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-024-01200-0
Telford, R. M., Telford, R. D., Olive, L. S., Cochrane, T. and Davey, R. (2016) ‘Why Are Girls Less Physically Active than Boys? Findings from the LOOK Longitudinal Study’, PloS One, Vol. 11, No. 3, pp. e0150041. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0150041
The KIDSCREEN group, Michel, G., Bisegger, C., Fuhr, D. C. and Abel, T. (2009) ‘Age and gender differences in health-related quality of life of children and adolescents in Europe: a multilevel analysis’, Quality of Life Research, Vol. 18, No. 9, pp. 1147–1157. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-009-9538-3
Tomkinson, G., Carver, K., Atkinson, F., Daniell, N., Lewis, L., Fitzgerald, J., Lang, J.J., Ortega, F. (2018) ‘European normative values for physical fitness in children and adolescents aged 9–17 years: results from 2 779 165 Eurofit performances representing 30 countries’, British Journal of Sports Medicine, Vol. 52, No. 22, pp. 1445–1456. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2017-098253
Utesch, T. (2015) ‘Die Überprüfung der Konstruktvalidität des Deutschen Motorik-Tests 6-18 für 9- bis 10-Jährige’, Zeitschrift für Sportpsychologie, 22(2), pp. 77-90. https://doi.org/10.1026/1612-5010/a000143
Walters, K., Chard, C., Castro, E. and Nelson, D. (2023) ‘The Influence of a Girls’ Health and Well-Being Program on Body Image, Self-Esteem, and Physical Activity Enjoyment’, Behavioral Sciences, Vol. 13, No. 9, p. 783. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13090783
Wang, C. J. K. and Liu, W. C. (2007) ‘Promoting enjoyment in girls’ physical education: The impact of goals, beliefs, and self-determination’, European Physical Education Review, Vol. 13, No. 2, pp. 145–164. https://doi.org/10.1177/1356336X07076875
Wang, J., Jin, W., Shi, L., Geng, Y., Zhu, X. and Hu, W. (2022) ‘Health-Related Quality of Life in Children: The Roles of Age, Gender and Interpersonal Trust’, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Vol. 19, No. 22, pp. 15408. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192215408
World Health Organization (2010) Global recommendations on physical activity for health, Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization. [Online], Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK305057/
Zar, J. H. (2005) ‘Spearman Rank Correlation’, in P. Armitage and T. Colton (ed.) Encyclopedia of Biostatistics, 1st Edition, Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
Additional Files
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Vera Prünster, Martin Niedermeier, Klaus Greier, Armando Cocca, Gerhard Ruedl

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors declare with this manuscript intended for publication to ERIES Journal that:
- all co-authors agree with the publication of the manuscript even after amendments arising from peer review;
- all co-authors agree with the posting of the full text of this work on the web page of ERIES Journal and to the inclusion of references in databases accessible on the internet;
- no results of other researchers were used in the submitted manuscript without their consent, proper citation, or acknowledgement of their cooperation or material provided;
- the results (or any part of them) used in the manuscript have not been sent for publication to any other journal nor have they already been published (or if so, that the relevant works are cited in this manuscript);
- submission of the manuscript for publication was completed in accordance with the publishing regulations pertaining to place of work;
- experiments performed comply with current laws and written consent of the Scientific Ethics Committee / National Animal Care Authority (as is mentioned in the manuscript submitted);
- grant holders confirm that they have been informed of the submitted manuscript and they agree to its publication.
Authors retain copyright and grant ERIES Journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the published work with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in ERIES Journal. Moreover, authors are able to post the published work in an institutional repository with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in ERIES Journal. In addition, authors are permitted and encouraged to post the published work online (e.g. institutional repositories or on their website) as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.