Self-perceptions, fitness, and exercise in early adolescence : a four-year follow-up study

Abstract

The aim of the present longitudinal study was to follow the development of self-perceptions during early adolescence. Another aim was to study the possible psychological benefit gained from regular exercise. A Perceived Physical Competence Scale (PPCS) with two sub-indices - Perceived Fitness and Perceived Appearance - was developed for the present study. In addition, self-esteem was assessed using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale, and physical fitness and anthropometric characteristics measured with six indicators. The subjects (n=113) were 11 years old at the first of the five annual measurements. Additional subject groups were used when validating the PPCS. The follow-up sample was discretionary with the aim of forming high contrast groups based on level of natural involvement in exercise. MANOVA- and Simplex- models were used in the analysis. Self-perceptions were very stable and at a high or moderate level during early adolescence. The self-perceptions of the girls, however, were lower and more unstable than those of the boys. The results for the girls indicated an increase in perceived fitness during the follow-up period in the physically active groups but not in the sedentary group. The active boys already had higher perceptions of their fitness at the beginning of the study than the sedentary group. The self-esteem of the different activity groups did not differ. These results support to the view that exercise increases perceptions of physical competence but not self-esteem. Physical fitness explained perceived fitness according to Sonstroem's hypothesis. The effect become weaker among the older boys and stronger among the older girls. Thus perceptions of fitness become more realistic among the girls and more unrealistic among the boys.