THE OPINION OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE GAME OF HANDBALL IN THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORTS LESSON

Aim. The aim of this study is to investigate the opinion of high school students regarding the development of handball within physical education and sport lessons, with a focus on its perceived benefits, participation rates, and the role of coordination skills. Methods. The research sample consisted of 282 school students from Sălaj County, aged between 11 and 16 years. Data were collected using a questionnaire designed to assess students’ motivations for practicing physical exercise, their participation in handball, perceived benefits, and the importance of coordination skills. Results. The majority of students (69.1%) considered that physical education classes help them develop harmoniously both physically and mentally, while 51.9% highlighted perseverance, team spirit, and competition as advantages. Health benefits were the main reason for practicing physical exercise (77.1%). Only 45.7% of students reported practicing handball regularly at school, and 18.2% had participated in handball competitions. Most students (50.9%) believed that handball contributes to coordination development to a fair extent, while 55.4% identified physical strength as the main benefit of the game. Conclusions. Practicing handball within physical education is perceived as an important factor in developing motor skills, fair play, socialization, and physical strength. However, limited competition participation and the moderate perception of coordination development highlight the need for improved strategies in schools to increase engagement and maximize the educational and health benefits of handball. Keywords: questionnaire, students, handball.