Physical Activity and Physical Self-Concept in a Sample of Middle-Age Basque Adults

Abstract

This study examined the relation of physical activity and physical self-concept in a sample of midlife adults from the Basque Country, 248 participants (152 women and 96 men) whose ages ranged from 31 to 49 years. Measurements were made on the Autokontzeptu Fisikoaren Itaunketa, a measure of physical self-concept in Basque language, and questions about physical activity. The Student t test was used to examine differences between Active and Non-active people; and to analyse differences by frequency of activity, analysis of variance was used. Analysis indicated those women who identified themselves as more active had more positive self-perceptions with regard to physical ability, physical condition, strength, and physical self-concept than inactive people while men's scores were more positive for physical ability, physical condition, and physical self-concept. Likewise, both men and women who reported engaging in physical activity more than three times a week also had significantly more positive self-perceptions with regard to physical ability, physical condition, and physical self-concept than those who exercised less frequently.