This study aimed to verify the effect of the images of sports star on the sports values among Chinese teenagers. For the purpose of this study, a total of 520 students (10th to 12th grade) attending D high school located in the city of Jinhwangdo(秦...
This study aimed to verify the effect of the images of sports star on the sports values among Chinese teenagers. For the purpose of this study, a total of 520 students (10th to 12th grade) attending D high school located in the city of Jinhwangdo(秦皇島) in China were selected as study subjects, who responded a questionnaire survey. To analyze the data collected from the survey, SPSS-WIN 12.0 program was used for factor analysis, t-test, One-Way ANOVA and Multiple Regression. As a result of these processes, following results are obtained:
First, in terms of teenagers’ recognition of sports star images by gender, males showed higher level of recognition regarding appearance, assessment and sensory images of sports star. Recognition of sports star images by grade did not show a significant difference among variables. The recognition of sports star images according to the interest in sports stars was higher in males regarding sports performance and assessment compared to females.
Second, in regard of the recognition of interest in sports by gender, males showed higher level of interest in sports than females. In regard with grades at school, the interest in sports was found higher in 12th graders than 11th and also higher in 10th graders than 11th graders. In addition, those who are interested in sports star at usual times showed higher interest in sports compared to those who are not.
Third, gender-based sports values showed differences in economic and religious values. In this result, males consider both aspects as more important values than females. Concerning the recognition of sports values by grade, difference was found in political values. Specifically, 12th graders were found to consider the values important compared to 10th and 11th graders. Those who are interested in sports stars were found to have higher level of recognition of theoretical and social values compared to those who are not.
Fourth, with regard to the influence of sports star images on interest in sports, significant differences were found in appearance, assessment and sensory images of sports star.
Finally, to sum up the influence of sports star images on teenagers’ sports values, images of sports performance and assessment have an effect on theoretical values; appearance and assessment images on economic values; sports performance and assessment as well as sensory images on social values; appearance and sports performance images on political values; and all the sub-variables of sports star images such as appearance, sports performance, assessment and sensory images on religious values.