The Relationship between the Assessment System in Physical Education in the Former Soviet State of Lithuania and Physical Activity Levels of Adults

This article draws from a study exploring the relationship between the Physical Education (PE) programme in the former Soviet State of Lithuania (more than 20 years ago) and present-day physical activity levels of Lithuanian citizens aged 35 years and older. Discussion embraces the differences in attitudes among physically active people aged 35+ and those who are not physically active to the assessment of achievements, to social characteristics of teacher’s assessment, to the influence of assessment on past and present physical activity, enjoyment experienced during PE lessons and the past and present benefit of those lessons, as well as physical activity motivation during the PE lessons in former Soviet Union times. Research findings reveal that insufficient engagement during PE lessons increases the chance of future physical inactivity by 1.65 times. The absence of any positive correlation between the assessment mark and the positive relationship between an individual and the PE teacher increases the chance of future physical inactivity by 2.12 times. Lack of, or inadequate understanding of, the benefits of physical activity to the quality of life and a healthy lifestyle increases the chance of future physical inactivity by 2.20 times.