Students’ physical activity intensity and sedentary behaviour by physical self-concept profiles: A latent profile analysis.

Abstract

Aims of this study were to identify student clusters in physical sport competence, global physical self-concept and self-esteem, and to examine whether different physical selfconcept groups differ in their moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behaviour. Participants of the study were 211 boys and 183 girls aged 13-16 years. MVPA and sedentary behaviour were monitored by GT3X accelerometers during seven days. Participants’ physical self-concept was measured by the short Physical Self-Description Questionnaire. Latent profile analyses revealed a four-cluster solution: 1) sport competence, global physical self-concept and self-esteem, and physical appearance; 2) high sport competence, global physical self-concept and selfesteem, and low physical appearance; 3) moderate sport competence, global physical selfconcept, self-esteem, and physical appearance, and 4) moderate sport competence and global physical self-concept, self-esteem, and low physical appearance. Multivariate analysis of variance showed differences in MVPA between boys’ in clusters 2 and 3 (p < .05). Students’ MVPA levels differ by physical self-concept profiles.