, 2006; Pate et al., 2002; Ridgers et al., 2007; Trost et al., 2002). However, literature suggests that the 2012 Olympics had a significant impact on females aged 16 – 19 years old, resulting in many more taking part in sport and physical activity (Health survey England, 2013).
The two transitional stages being explored fall into the adolescent life stage which comprises of many biological, environmental, social, and psychological transformations, which often influence participation in physical activity (Benner, 2011). In particular, Humbert et al (2008) and Eime et al (2010) found that there were marked decreases in physical activity which had been reported during the transition from primary to secondary school. This was usually when confronted with organisational changes as well as differences in support in the transition from compulsory to non-compulsory education often due to increased level of study. Adolescence is a period where physical activity decrease is at its highest (Hedstrom & Gould, 2004). Scheerder et al (2006) found that those who have been previously regularly active tend to be more physically active throughout this stage. They suggested that it was very important to promote physical activity from a young age and support this through adolescence. The information provided agrees with a statement made in the Start Active: Stay Active publication from the Chief Medical Officer (2011). It states that being physically active during childhood tends to mean it will be maintained in adulthood. A study conducted by Butt et al (2011) found that amongst 1163 participants, between the age of 13 and 16, there was a decline of physical activity across the age groups which was more prominent with females.
Although there are now more women and girls taking part in sport, PE has long been recognised as being gendered due to its connection with sport which is a very male dominated in society (Garrett, 2004; Rich 2004).