Physical Strength by Mental Health Profile in School-Aged Boys and Girls

Abstract

Mental health can play an important role in the development of a good health-related physical fitness, especially during physical education (PE) classes. In fact, kids with low self-esteem and psychological wellness are often inclined to avoid carrying out physical assignments in front of their peers due to the fear to be ridiculed. Similar psychological processes occur in children with high stress and anxiety associated to exercising. This could have a negative impact on the development of an appropriate level of strength, which is considered an important indicator of wellbeing at all ages. PURPOSE: To assess primary school boys’ and girls’ physical strength associated to mental health profiles. METHODS: A sample of 189 children (88 boys, 101 girls) aged 10-11 participated in the study. Physical strength measurements were carried out according to EUROFIT protocol, and included 30-sec sit-ups (SU), standing broad jump (SBJ), bent arm hang (BAH), and handgrip (HG) tests. In addition, participants were asked to fill self-esteem, psychological wellbeing, anxiety, and stress questionnaires. RESULTS: Cluster analyses evidenced two main profiles in boys: “partial psychopathology” (PP) and “partial mental health” (PMH). Participants showing the former profile had lower scores in SU (PP: 13.09; PMH: 17.89), SBJ (PP: 96.89; PMH: 123.57), BAH (PP: 3.91; PMH: 8.74), and HG (PP: 12.15; PMH: 14.60). Both profiles had low scores in relation with cut-off points for their age. Girls only belonged to PP, also showing lower results than expected at their age (SU = 15.22; SBJ = 111.59; BAH = 7.27; HG = 12.25). CONCLUSIONS: Partial mental health is not a sufficient condition for triggering the development of healthy physical strength. PE teachers need to create the proper conditions for children to reach full mental wellbeing, which may increase their chances to achieve beneficial levels of physical fitness.