The Impact of Physical Activity in the Control of Abnormal Behaviours of Iranian students

Objectives:  The present study aimed to to investigate the role of the leisure time physical activities in the control of abnormal behaviours of male high school students in Tehran (Iran). Methods: A sample of 1715 students was selected based on multi-stage cluster random sampling using Cochran’s formula. The research instrument was an ad hoc questionnaire of abnormal behaviours elaborated by the researchers and based on the previous literature. Its validity was confirmed by a group of fifteen university teachers of physical education, sociology, and psychology. The reliability was 0.85 using Cronbach’s alpha. Descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, and independent samples t-test (p?0.05) were used in the analysis of the data. Findings: The results showed that participation in leisure time physical activities has a positive role in reducing all the three areas of abnormal behaviours (maladaptive behaviours, anti-social behaviours, and immoral behaviours). Conclusions: Family leisure time planners, social and health policy makers are recommended to take supportive measures in order to incorporate sports activities in students’ lifestyle.