Relations between physical self-concept and physical exercise of primary school pupils

Abstract

This paper is a presentation of the results of the research of the relation between the physical self-concept and physical exercise of primary school pupils. The starting point is a multidimensional model of physical self-concept by Marsh and his associates. The aim of the research was to study the characteristics of physical self-concept of primary school pupils with regard to the degree of involvement in physical exercise and sports. It was also examined whether there are gender differences in the characteristics of the physical self-concept of pupils, as well as relations between physical self-concept and physical exercise within gender groups, with regard to the degree of involvement in physical exercise and sports. The research was conducted on the sample of 469 primary school pupils (225 boys and 244 girls), from the 6th to 8th grade, of average age of 13,6. The Physical Self- Description Questionnaire (PSDQ) of Marsh and associates was applied. The results indicate the existence of statistically significant differences in the characteristics of the physical self-concept in favour of the group of pupils who, besides physical education classes, are additionally involved in physical exercise and sports. Some differences were expressed in certain characteristics of physical self-concept between boys and girls, and the results also indicate larger differences in the characteristics of the physical self-concept in the sample of girls than boys, when the degree of their involvement in physical exercise and sports is observed.