Untitled research work

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of IAAF Kids' Athletics on motivation, physical fitness and track and field event performance of children (11-12 years old).The IAAF Kids' Athletics is a track and field teaching program that was developed by the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federation).In total 215 elementary students participated in the study.IAAF Kids' Athletics was implemented in an experimental group and the traditional skill teaching method for track and field was used in the control group.The experiment was conducted in an elementary school environment for twelve weeks.The Perceived Locus of Causality, the Perceived Enjoyment and Effort subscales of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory, and the questionnaire which measured the intention to continue practicing track and field, were administered to the students before and after the experiment.Pre-and post-experimental physical fitness and track and field event performance measurements were recorded.Split plot ANOVAs were used to estimate the time and group interaction effect on each variable.The students in the IAAF Kids' Athletics group improved perceived effort and intention to continue practicing track and field more than those who were exposed to the skill learning method.They also regulated their motivation for track and field to a more self-determined direction, by improving the identified regulation.The same positive results were revealed for most of the physical fitness and event performance variables.In conclusion, the IAAF Kids' Athletics program can motivate elementary school students to learn track and field, by helping them to realize the importance of this sport and at the same time it can help them to improve their physical fitness and their track and field performance.