Gender Differences in the Relationship between the Regular Practice of Sports and Physical Exercise, Self-Beliefs and Academic Achievement during Adolescence

Sofia Guimaraes

doi:10.5539/jedp.v5n2p77

Abstract

The present study examined the associations between self-concept, academic achievement and adolescents’ participation in physical exercise and sports practice. The work extends previous research linking regular physical activity with self-concept by looking in detail at how different dimensions of self-perception may be linked to the regular practice of exercise and also to the adolescents’ school results. In addition, the present study adopted a gender specific approach to explore the relationship between the variables analysed. The sample included 1094 adolescents ranging in age between 12 and 18 years attending four different schools in the south of Portugal. The results suggest some clear gender differences in terms of levels of physical activity and how exercise and sports may shape the mental representations that adolescents develop about themselves in different dimensions of the self. More interesting is the finding that sports and physical exercise can support particular developmental changes in adolescent girls’ domain-specific self-perceptions, self-esteem and levels of academic achievement.

Highlights

1.1 The Benefits of Regular Physical Activity during AdolescenceRegular practice of exercise has been linked to many health benefits and higher levels of physical activity during childhood and adolescence show clear associations with positive health outcomes (Pearce, Basterfield, Mann, Parkinson, Adamson, & Reiley, 2012)
Adolescence constitutes a unique phase of human development with important psychological changes, including a more complex ability to perceive themselves across different domains of their life
A vast amount of research has contributed to our understanding of self-concept there are still significant inconsistencies regarding gender differences about the representations that adolescents develop in different dimensions of the self and how specific social contexts are important contributing factors

Summary

Introduction

1.1 The Benefits of Regular Physical Activity during AdolescenceRegular practice of exercise has been linked to many health benefits and higher levels of physical activity during childhood and adolescence show clear associations with positive health outcomes (Pearce, Basterfield, Mann, Parkinson, Adamson, & Reiley, 2012). The social context in which sports and physical exercise take place is a relevant contributor to some of the psychological benefits, as they often provide opportunities for social engagement (Donaldson & Ronan, 2006). This is certainly the case amongst adolescents where exercise usually occurs in the context of extra-curricular group activities which are important settings that support adolescents’ establishment of friendships amongst their peer group (Schaefer, Simpkins, Vest, & Price, 2011)

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Conclusion