Abstract

The objective of this research was to compare the basic psychological needs between adolescent females and males during Physical Education class. A quantitative methodology with a cross-sectional design of comparative scope was used. A total of 551 students (302 females and 249 males between 14 and 17 years of age) participated and were administered the Basic Psychological Needs Scale questionnaire during Physical Education class. Differences were found in the scores between females and males in the dimension of autonomy (3.36 +/- 0.86 versus 3.74 +/- 0.9; p<0.001; eta 2p:0.044), competence (3.62 +/- 0.9 versus 4.05 +/- 0.8; p<0. 001; eta 2p:0.059) and relationship (3.44 +/- 1.0 versus 3.98 +/- 0.9; p<0.001; eta 2p:0.075) respectively, with males presenting a higher mean score than females in the three dimensions analyzed. It is concluded that there are differences according to sex in relation to the basic psychological needs, being women those who present a lower degree of satisfaction of their basic psychological needs during the development of the Physical Education class.