Impact of verbal and non-verbal communication in educational settings on perception of importance of physical education in adolescence

Background: Physical Education (PE) is a fundamental subject in the school curriculum, which promotes the physical and social development of students by promoting healthy habits. Positive experiences in PE enables them to overcome challenges, learn to deal with frustration and develop a positive body image. These competences are fundamental for the development of personal well-being and social relations in children and adolescents. However, the perception of their importance may vary significantly among students, influenced by different factors, including classroom communication. Objectives: To analyse the influence of teachers ‘verbal and non-verbal communication in the classroom on pupils’ perception of the importance of PE. Methods: Spearman's Rho correlation test was performed to analyse the relationship between the relevance assigned to PE and the Physical Education Communication Scale (ECEF) in 960 adolescents. And the predictive model with a linear regression analysis to identify the variables that could predict the importance of PE.; Results: A positive and significant correlation is found between verbal and non-verbal communication and the importance of PE (ρ=0.215, p<0.001; (ρ=0.323, p<0.001), the higher the perception of communication in PE classes, the greater the importance attributed to PE.; Model 1 explained 15% of the variance (R² = 0.15) in the importance of PE, showing that nonverbal communication, gender and age are significant variables. Conclusions: Understanding these relationships can contribute to improve teaching practices and promote a more valued and appreciated PE among adolescents, in order to develop not only physical skills but also positive attitudes and habits towards an active and healthy lifestyle.