Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity as a Predictor of Changes in Physical Self-Concept in Adolescents

Objective: Physical self-concept and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) are fundamental components of adolescents' health and well-being. Previous research suggests that physical self-concept and MVPA share reciprocal relations whereby physical self-concept is both an antecedent (i.e...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Health psychology 2020-03, Vol.39 (3), p.190-198
Main Authors: Garn, Alex C., Morin, Alexandre J. S., White, Rhiannon L., Owen, Katherine B., Donley, Wayne, Lonsdale, Chris
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Academic Self Concept
Adolescent
Adolescent Development
Adolescent Health
Adolescents
Bias
Body Mass Index
Child
Exercise
Exercise - psychology
Female
Health promotion
Human
Humans
Male
Physical Activity
Self Concept
Self esteem
Selfenhancement
Skill development
Social Desirability
Structural Equation Modeling
Teenagers
Well Being
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Summary:Objective: Physical self-concept and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) are fundamental components of adolescents' health and well-being. Previous research suggests that physical self-concept and MVPA share reciprocal relations whereby physical self-concept is both an antecedent (i.e., self-enhancement) and outcome (i.e., skill development) of MVPA. However, these studies rely on subjective reports of MVPA, which can produce social desirability bias and challenge youth's recall capabilities. In order to address this gap, we test a reciprocal effects model examining the interplay between adolescents' physical self-concept and its facets and 7 days of objectively measured MVPA. Method: Australian adolescents (N = 1,767) completed 4,136 time-specific observations across 3 waves of data. Structural equation modeling was used to test the reciprocal effects model. Results: After controlling for body mass index and sex, results only supported the role of MVPA as an antecedent of physical self-concept. The percentage of time adolescents spent in MVPA during school was especially important to predicting a higher physical self-concept in the future. Conclusions: Findings did not support a reciprocal effects model of physical self-concept and objectively measured MVPA. Rather, physical self-concept and facets were outcomes of school-based MVPA, suggesting emphasis be placed on promoting adolescents' physical activity participation. This study demonstrates the benefits that school MVPA provides to adolescents' development of a positive physical self-concept, which is essential to optimizing long-term health and well-being.
ISSN:0278-6133
1930-7810
DOI:10.1037/hea0000815