MOTIVATIONS AND EXPECTATIONS RELATED TO THE CHOICE OF THE BACHELOR COURSE OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORTS

Objective: The aim of the present study was to identify the motivations the led first- and second-year undergraduate students to enter the career of Physical Education and Sports and their expectations regarding the course and professional career. Method: A qualitative and quantitative approach was used, which consisted of two phases: the formation of focus groups followed by analysis of the topics raised and, on the basis of these, the elaboration, application and analysis of individualized structured questionnaires. Results: The greatest motivations observed were: previous involvement in sports practice, affinity for sports, and helping people/health promotion. The mean score for expectations about the course was 3.1, with first-year students showing significantly higher scores than second-year students regarding the following topics: need to opt for a specific area of the course (p=0.0294); expectations about the options in the area of activity (p=0.0012); and future financial reward (p=0.0243). Conclusion: Affinity for the area and previous experience with physical activities are the main motivators to choice physical education as a career.