The Relationship of Sport Involvement and Gender to Physical Fitness, Self-Efficacy, and Self-Concept in Middle School Students

Authors

  • Kristina Clevinger University of North Texas http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3869-3848
  • Trent Petrie University of North Texas
  • Scott Martin University of North Texas
  • Christy Greenleaf University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18666/TPE-2020-V77-I1-9228

Keywords:

sports, self-concept, self-efficacy, middle school

Abstract

Sport involvement may offer physical and psychological benefits to early adolescents beyond those accrued through physical activity (PA). Those benefits, though, may be moderated by gender. The purpose of this study was to examine these potential benefits in a middle school population. The sample consisted of 629 sixth graders enrolled in a physical education (PE) course. Students completed self-report measures on sport involvement, PA self-efficacy, and physical self-concept. During PE, students completed FitnessGram testing, which provided measurements of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), muscular strength and flexibility, and body composition. MANCOVA analyses were used to examine the interaction between sport involvement and gender in relation to the psychological and physical outcomes. Multivariate analyses demonstrated no Sport × Gender interactions for any outcome; sport involvement, however, was related significantly to improvements in CRF, muscular strength, PA self-efficacy, and physical self-concept (aerobic endurance and muscular strength). The findings suggest that sport involvement, above what may be attained through standardized, school-based PE experiences, uniquely provides physical and psychological benefits for early adolescents.

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Author Biographies

Kristina Clevinger, University of North Texas

Doctoral Candidate, Department of Psychology

Trent Petrie, University of North Texas

Professor, Department of Psychology

Scott Martin, University of North Texas

Professor, Department of Kinesiology, Health Promotion, & Recreation

Christy Greenleaf, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Professor, Department of Kinesiology

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Published

2020-01-27

Issue

Vol. 77 No. 1 (2020)

Section

Articles

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