Perceived Sport Competence Research Articles

Perceived sports competence mediates the relationship between childhood motor skill proficiency and adolescent physical activity and fitness: a longitudinal assessment.

BackgroundThe purpose of this paper was to investigate whether perceived sports competence mediates the relationship between childhood motor skill proficiency and subsequent adolescent physical activity and fitness.MethodsIn 2000, children's motor skill proficiency was assessed as part of a school-based physical activity intervention. In 2006/07, participants were followed up as part of the Physical Activity and Skills Study and completed assessments for perceived sports competence (Physical Self-Perception Profile), physical activity (Adolescent Physical Activity Recall Questionnaire) and cardiorespiratory fitness (Multistage Fitness Test). Structural equation modelling techniques were used to determine whether perceived sports competence mediated between childhood object control skill proficiency (composite score of kick, catch and overhand throw), and subsequent adolescent self-reported time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness.ResultsOf 928 original intervention participants, 481 were located in 28 schools and 276 (57%) were assessed with at least one follow-up measure. Slightly more than half were female (52.4%) with a mean age of 16.4 years (range 14.2 to 18.3 yrs). Relevant assessments were completed by 250 (90.6%) students for the Physical Activity Model and 227 (82.3%) for the Fitness Model. Both hypothesised mediation models had a good fit to the observed data, with the Physical Activity Model accounting for 18% (R2 = 0.18) of physical activity variance and the Fitness Model accounting for 30% (R2 = 0.30) of fitness variance. Sex did not act as a moderator in either model.ConclusionDeveloping a high perceived sports competence through object control skill development in childhood is important for both boys and girls in determining adolescent physical activity participation and fitness. Our findings highlight the need for interventions to target and improve the perceived sports competence of youth.

Path Analysis on the Influence of Perceived Sport Competence by Other Motivational Variables

LANGUAGE NOTE | Document text in English; abstract also in Chinese.
 The purpose of this study was to examine children's sport and physical education (PE) participation by focusing on perceived sports competence as suggested in Harter's competence motivation theory (1978, 1981). The study included other related factors of intrinsic/extrinsic motivational orientation, task/ego goal orientation and level of competitive trait anxiety to examine their relationship and predictive ability on perceived sport competence. A total of 2,202 participants from eleven schools of Secondary One, Two and Three, with a mean age of 13.55 years (SD=2.15) took part in this study. There was a proportional distribution of males (n=1,056) and females (n=1,130). Data was collected by using measuring instruments that included the Self-Perception Profile for Children (SPPC; Harter, 1985), Sport Motivation Scale (SMS; Pelletier et al., 1995), Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire (TEOSQ; Duda & Nicholls, 1989) and Sport Competition Anxiety Test (SCAT; Martens, Vealey & Burton, 1990). Descriptive statistics were used to generalise the characteristics of the sample. Path analysis using EQS was performed to identify the structure of relationships between different attributes. The results revealed the relationships between perceived sport competence and other motivational attributes were mostly in accordance with Harter's competence motivation theory such that analyses demonstrated significant, modest, positive relationships with intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation, and negative relationships with anxiety and amotivation. The relationship with task goal orientation was significant but weak. Examination with path analysis showed that task goal orientation was related to perceived competence through the mediating effect of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. By understanding how these factors affect children's decisions to continue or discontinue participation in PE and sport activities, and how these factors interact with each other, recommendations were made concerning the school PE curriculum and implementation of sport programmes in Hong Kong. Recommendations were also made for future studies.
 本研究是根據「勝任運動能力」及其他影響參與運動的因素包括「內在及外在動機」、「運動焦慮」及「目標定向」檢視香港初中生參與運動的動機。2,202名中一至中三的學生參與這次問卷研究。數據分析總結出「勝任運動能力」與「內在動機」及「外在動機」存在重要及正面關係，與「運動焦慮」及「無動機」存在負面關係；通過結構公式分析顯示「任務目標」透過「內在動機」及「外在動機」影響「勝任運動能力」。在了解這些影響青少年參與運動的因素後，本研究作出一些提議及提出將來研究的方向。

Antecedents and consequences of approach and avoidance achievement goals: A test of gender invariance

Objective Based on Elliot's revised achievement goal framework [Elliot and McGregor (2001). A 2×2 achievement goal framework. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 80, 501–519], the present study tested the gender invariance of the multiple achievement goal measurement model as well as the hypothesized antecedents and consequences of the multiple achievement goals embedded in a structural model. Method A sample of 450 British male and female athletes (M age=22.17, SD=6.59) were used. A multi-section questionnaire, assessing approach and avoidance achievement goals, perceived sport competence, fear of failure, and motivation regulations, was administered to the athletes before or after training. Data were collected with the informed consent of the coaches and the athletes. Design Cross-sectional design. Results Analyses of factorial invariance revealed that the four goal model could be considered as equivalent across gender. Only partial invariance was supported with respect to the antecedents-achievement goals-consequences model. The paths between fear of failure to mastery-avoidance goal, mastery-approach goal to intrinsic motivation, and performance-approach goal to extrinsic motivation regulation were not invariant for males and females. Conclusion The factorial validity of multiple achievement goal measure was supported for both genders. The present findings provided only partial support for gender invariance in the 2×2 model.

Understanding enjoyment in youth sport: A developmental perspective

Objectives Historically, the youth sport emotional response literature focused mainly on stress and enjoyment. Although research on these emotional responses has been significant, no systematic examination of these responses from a developmental perspective has been undertaken and therefore, developmental influence and implications for competitive youth sport are largely unknown. To begin to address this issue, the present study examined the developmental progression of sources of enjoyment among youth sport participants. Design A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to examine the developmental differences in sources of enjoyment among younger (under 11 years) and older (over 11 years) children participating in individual and team sports. Methods Participants ( n=152) aged 8–15 years were categorized into groups of younger and older children based on underlying cognitive-developmental criteria. Self-report measures of enjoyment, sources of enjoyment, perceived sport competence, and task and ego goal orientation were recorded. Results Older children reported significantly greater enjoyment and other-referenced competency and recognition than younger children. Although all sources of enjoyment predicted enjoyment among younger children, no single source added a unique proportion of variance to the model. Competitive excitement (CE) and other-referenced competency and recognition significantly predicted enjoyment among older children. Team sport participants reported significantly greater self-referenced competency (SRC), affiliation with peers (AP), competitive excitement (CE), positive parental involvement (PPI) and enjoyment compared with individual sport participants. Finally, aligned with previous research, task orientation and perceived competence significantly predicted enjoyment. Conclusions The results of the present study underline the importance of understanding the developmental progression of sources of enjoyment among children and adolescents in sport. Furthermore, consideration should also be given to the nature of the sport (team or individual) children participate in for long-term enjoyment and commitment to sport.

An Analysis of Sport Identity as a Predictor of Children's Participation in Sport.

The purpose of this study was to examine the role of sport identity within a model of children's sport participation. Participants were 238 boys and 231 girls aged 12 to 13 years from state secondary schools in Hong Kong. Questionnaires were administered in order to assess the influences of psychosocial and socioenvironmental constructs on children's sport involvement. Regression analyses and path analysis were used to assess hypothesized relationships in the model. Results indicated that sport identity was the strongest predictor of children's sport participation; perceived sport competence, peer influence, and relative autonomy index (RAI) were predictors of sport identity; and path analysis indicated that the data provided a good fit to the model featuring sport identity as the mediator between psychosocial and socioenvironmental variables and children's sport participation.

Youth at risk of physical inactivity may benefit more from activity-related support than youth not at risk

BackgroundThis study examines whether associations between activity-related support and adolescents' physical activity differ for adolescents at high versus low risk of physical inactivity.Methods:Participants included 202 middle-school-aged girls (N = 92) and boys (N = 110). Physical activity was assessed using three self-report questionnaires. Activity-related support from mothers, fathers, siblings, and peers was assessed using the Activity Support Scale. Perceived sport competence was assessed using the Physical Activity Self Description Questionnaire. Participants' height and weight were measured and used to calculate their age- and sex-adjusted Body Mass Index percentile. Participants were classified as being at high risk for physical inactivity if they fulfilled two of the following three criteria: (1) overweight; (2) female; or (3) having low perceived sport competence.Results:Activity-related support from all sources was associated with higher levels of physical activity among adolescents. A stronger association between activity support and physical activity was found for adolescents at high risk for physical inactivity in comparison to adolescents at low risk.Conclusions:Findings from this study suggest that the activity-related support from family and friends may be an effective tool in promoting physical activity among youth at risk of physical inactivity.

Personal Fulfillment Motivates Adolescents to Be Physically Active

To identify factors that motivate adolescents to be physically active; to assess differences in motivators for groups at risk for physical inactivity, including girls vs boys, overweight vs nonoverweight youth, and youth with low vs high perceived sport competence; and to assess links between activity motivation and physical activity. Cross-sectional study. A middle school in rural central Pennsylvania. Two hundred two girls (n = 92) and boys (n = 110). Motivations to be physically active were assessed using the Activity Motivation Scale. Perceived sport competence was measured by the Physical Self Description Questionnaire. Participants' height and weight were measured and used to classify their overweight status. Three self-reported measures were used to assess adolescents' physical activity. Adolescents were most likely to report personal fulfillment as the strongest motivating factor for physical activity (mean [SD], 3.49 [0.56]), followed by weight-based motivation (mean [SD], 2.39 [0.93]), peer motivation (mean [SD], 2.09 [0.67]), and parent motivation (mean [SD], 1.72 [0.73]; F = 680.74; P<.001). Overweight adolescents reported significantly higher weight-based motivation (mean [SD], 2.84 [0.79]) compared with nonoverweight adolescents (mean [SD], 2.06 [0.89]; F = 40.52; P<.001), and adolescents with low perceived sport competence reported significantly lower personal fulfillment motivation (mean [SD], 3.20 [0.68]) compared with adolescents with higher perceived sport competence (mean [SD], 3.69 [0.32]; F = 52.31; P<.001). Personal fulfillment was the only motivating factor that showed a consistent moderate to strong association with physical activity across all regression models. Personal fulfillment motivation should be considered when designing physical activity promotion programs for adolescents.

Examination of the Hierarchical Self-Esteem Model in Adults with Physical Disability

The primary purpose of this research was to examine the validity of the hierarchical physical self-perceptions model developed by Fox and Corbin (1989) within a population of physically disabled individuals. The secondary purpose was to compare the physical self-perceptions of those who were physically active and physically inactive. 97 adults with physical disabilities completed a self-esteem scale and the Physical Self-perception Profile, Japanese short version to assess General Physical Self-worth and its subdomains of Perceived Sports Competence, Physical Condition, Attractive Body, and Physical Strength. Path analysis showed adequate fit of the data to the hierarchical physical self-perception model. In general, physical self-perceptions were rated more favorably by physically active participants.

Motivational Climate, Achievement Goals, Perceived Sport Competence, and Involvement in Physical Activity: Structural and Mediator Models

Students (N=231) were tested on involvement in physical activity, motivational climate, perceived sport competence, and goal orientations. Multiple regression, partial correlation, and LISREL analyses indicated that mastery goal adoption is positively correlated with a mastery climate. Performance-approach goal adoption is positively correlated with a performance climate. Mastery climate, mastery goal, and perceived sport competence are all positively correlated with involvement in physical activity. LISREL analyses supported three mediational hypotheses: (I) the positive correlation between the performance-approach goal and involvement in physical activity is mediated by (high) perceived sport competence, (II) the negative correlation between the performance-avoidance goal and involvement in physical activity is mediated by (low) perceived sport competence, (III) the positive correlation between mastery climate and involvement in physical activity is mediated by (high) mastery goal orientation. An alternative structural model with perceived competence as the last latent construct in the path was also tested.

Autonomous Motivation: Involvement in Physical Activity, and Perceived Sport Competence: Structural and Mediator Models

Students in upper secondary school (N = 231, M = 16.6 yr., SD = 1.6) were tested on involvement in physical activity, perceived sport competence, using the Perceived Competence Scale of Harter, and motivational regulation on the Self-regulation Questionnaire of Ryan and Connell. Correlations were positive among involvement in physical activity, autonomous motivation, and perceived sport competence. A hypothetical model indicated that autonomous motivation mediates the relation between perceived sport competence and involvement in physical activity. Although LISREL analysis supported this mediation, the best model fit of the data supported a structural model with involvement in physical activity (R2 = .63) to mediate between autonomous motivation and perceived competence (R2 = .47). Results are interpreted and discussed in terms of self-determination theory.

Effects of Home- and University-Based Programs on Physical Self-Perception in Mothers and Daughters

ABSTRACT The primary purpose of this study was to compare two mother-daughter interventions designed to increase fitness and activity and improve physical self-perception (PSP). A secondary purpose was to test two of the proposed mechanisms for using physical activity to enhance PSP. Twenty mother-daughter pairs (n = 40) were randomly assigned to a university-based (UB) or home-based (HB) group. Initially, both groups received classroom training designed to improve PSP. Then, the UB group met three times per week, whereas the HB group received information concerning home-based activities. The Fitnessgram® activity questionnaire and fitness test battery were used to measure physical activity and fitness level. The Physical Self-Perception Profile (PSPP) was used to detect changes in PSP. Separate 2 (group) × 2 (age) × 2 (time) ANOVAs with repeated measures on the last factor were conducted to examine changes in PSP, physical activity, and fitness. Correlations between physical activity, fitness, and PSP were examined to test the two mechanisms. Perceived sports competence and body attractiveness improved in UB and HB mothers and daughters (p = .002 and .005, respectively). UB and HB mothers and daughters increased their participation in aerobic (p = .000 and .015), muscular strength (p = .001 and .001), and flexibility (p = .000 and .000) activities. Support was not provided for the proposed mechanisms for the relationship between physical activity and PSP. These interventions demonstrate the potential to foster positive short-term changes in PSP and physical activity in mothers and daughters. More research is needed to test mechanisms explaining the relationship between activity and PSP.

Bodily transition out of elite sport: A one‐year study of physical self and global self‐esteem among transitional athletes

Sports career termination implies a transition during which ex‐elite athletes face social, professional, and bodily changes and adjustments. This study evaluated the repercussions of the bodily transition and adjustment process on physical self and global self‐esteem. Athletes (n =16) in transition following the Sydney Olympic Games were compared with active elite athletes (n =16) four times during the first post‐career termination year using the Physical Self Inventory (Ninot, Delignieres, & Fortes, 2000). The results revealed that perceived physical condition, physical self‐worth, and global self‐esteem decreased during the first six months of transition out of elite sport. This stage of crisis was followed by a period of increase in these dimensions, as well as in perceived sports competence and physical strength, illustrating an adjustment to new bodily references. Transitional athletes presented lower global self‐esteem, physical self‐worth, perceived physical condition, sports competence, and physical attractiveness than active elite athletes, because of decreased training and social recognition of the “performing body.”

Relationships between self-perceptions and negative affect in adult Flemish psychiatric in-patients suffering from mood disorders

Abstract Objectives. To compare measures of physical self-perceptions and self-esteem of adult psychiatric patients suffering from mood disorders with norms of non-patients and to investigate the comparative influence of physical self-perceptions and self-esteem on indices of negative affect in these patients. Method. Cross-sectional. Adult psychiatric patients (53 males, 124 females), all with DSM-IV diagnosis of mood disorder and with elevated depression scores, completed the Physical Self-Perception Profile subscales assessing perceived sports competence and condition, body attractiveness, physical strength, and a domain scale of physical self-worth. Also assessed were global self-esteem, using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Inventory, depression, with the Beck Depression Inventory, and anxiety with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Results. Depressed patients scored significantly lower on physical self-perceptions and global self-esteem than non-patients, consistent with the symptomatology of depression and anxiety. Partial correlation analysis and path analysis indicated that physical self-perceptions explained a significant proportion of variance in negative affects ( R 2 from 0.37 to 0.49). With the exception of trait anxiety in male patients, direct pathways became non-significant when global self-esteem was added to the model. Model fit parameters using structural equation modelling indicated the superior fit of the indirect model with global self-esteem as a mediator. Conclusion. The relationship between physical self-perceptions and negative affect is mainly indirect and mediated by global self-esteem in mood disordered psychiatric patients. The Expanded Exercise and Self-Esteem Model, which includes physical self-perceptions and self-esteem estimates, might be considered as a valuable framework for furthering our understanding of the depression and anxiety reducing potential of exercise and physical activity in clinically depressed individuals.

Daughters and Mothers Exercising Together (DAMET): A 12-Week Pilot Project Designed to Improve Physical Self-Perception and Increase Recreational Physical Activity

ABSTRACT This paper presents the results of a 12-week single-sex, family-based physical activity intervention grounded in Social Cognitive Theory. Mother/daughter pairs and triads (n = 20) attended physical activity and classroom sessions twice weekly. Physiological data (VO2peak, height, and weight), psychological data (physical self-perception profile subscale scores), information about physical activity participation (PAP, d?wk21) and qualitative impressions (QI) of the program were collected pre-and post-intervention. PAP and QI were also collected 6-months after completing the intervention. Although no significant increases in physical activity were reported, significant improvements in perceived sport competence, physical condition, and strength and muscularity were reported over time. The social cognitive theory, as used to plan this physical activity intervention, offered a promising theoretical perspective for facilitating improved physical self-perception in adolescent girls and their mothers.

The role of achievement goal orientations and perceived ability upon somatic and cognitive indices of sport competition trait anxiety. A study of young athletes.

Goal orientation theory and competence motivation theory were used to examine the relationships between young athletes' achievement goals and indices of somatic and cognitive trait sport competition anxiety. Included in these analyses were also the potential mediating and moderating role of the athletes' perceived competence in sport. We examined 136 young athletes aged 13 to 18 years involved in organized sport within a community in northern Norway. Whereas no association was found between an ego oriented achievement goal and indices of anxiety, multiple regression analyses revealed that both a high task goal orientation and high perceived sport competence predicted a reduced tendency to report cognitive anxiety when competing in sport. In addition, athletes who perceived their competence in sport as high were found to be less predisposed to experiencing somatic anxiety in the form of elevated physiological arousal when competing than those who doubt their competence. The results further showed that perceived competence did not mediate or moderate the relationships between achievement goal orientations and somatic and cognitive indices of trait sport competition anxiety. The findings suggest that being task oriented in sport as well as having a sense of being competent are important in order to prevent sport competitions giving rise to elevated cognitive anxiety in young athletes.

Dispositional and Situational Goal Orientations as Discriminators Among Recreational and Competitive League Athletes

The present study examined the relationship between individual goal orientation, motivational team climate, perceived sport competence, and league structure among 216 youth soccer players. It was predicted that competitive league teams would report higher ego-involvement and performance-oriented team climate and lower sport competence than recreational teams. Discriminant analyses indicated that only the mastery-oriented team climate variable differentiated competitive and recreational teams. Athletes who participated in recreational teams reported a greater degree of mastery-oriented climate than competitive league players. The results suggest that athletes' perceptions of situational rather than dispositional aspects of achievement goals are more highly affected by the playing structure present in youth sport teams. The possible psychological benefits derived from the development of a mastery-oriented team climate in sports are discussed.

Determinants of Children’s Self-Esteem: An Examination of Perceived Competence and Affect in Sport

The present study examined perceived sport competence and affect experienced in sport as possible determinants of children’s levels of self-esteem. The sample consisted of 183 summer sport program participants ranging in age from 8 to 13 years. The children completed self-report questionnaires that assessed the constructs of interest. Hypothesized relationships among the constructs were then examined using structural equation modeling techniques. The results revealed that both structural models tested provided an adequate fit with the sample data. For the affect mediator model, perceived competence significantly influenced positive affect and to a lesser degree negative affect, while only positive affect influenced self-esteem. For the perceived competence mediator model, only positive affect significantly influenced perceived competence, which in turn significantly influenced self-esteem. Thus, higher scores on perceived competence and positive affect were associated with higher scores in children’s self-esteem.

Determinants of Emotion in Children’s Physical Activity: A Test of Goal Perspectives and Attribution Theories

The present study examined the relationships between achievement goal orientations, perceived sport competence, situational goal involvement, attributions for achievement outcomes, and achievement-related affect after participation in aerobic activity in children. School students age 11–14 years (N = 211) participated in either a 400-m track-and-field event or a health-related fitness test during regular physical education lessons. Participants were assessed on goal orientations and perceived sport competence prior to participation. After completing the activities, participants indicated their goals adopted during the activities, perceptions of success, attributions for success and failure, and emotions. Task involvement and perceptions of success emerged as significant predictors of positive affect, whereas perceived success inversely influenced negative affect. In addition, internal attributions for success emerged as significantly predicting positive emotion, but with a weak effect. Adoption a task goal appears to enhance children’s positive affect after physical activity participation.

A Social-Cognitive Investigation into the Mechanisms of Affect Generation in Children’s Physical Activity

This study examined how achievement goal orientations, perceived sport competence, perceptions of success, and perceived outcome attributions affect children’s exercise-induced feeling states following physical exercise. The construct validity of the Exercise-Induced Feeling Inventory and a modification of the Causal Dimension Scale II for children was also investigated. Children (N = 304) responded to measures on the above scales. Task orientation, perceived success, and an ego orientation, combined with high perceptions of sport competence, were positive predictors of states of positive engagement, revitalization, and tranquillity; only task orientation was a negative predictor of physical exhaustion. The locus of causality dimension appeared to mediate the impact of perceptions of success on positive engagement, but with a negligible effect. The results were consistent with previous findings highlighting the motivational advantage of adopting a task orientation in physical achievement situations and demonstrated the role of task orientation as a determinant of affect in exercise testing in children.

Evidence for the validity and utility of the Stages of Exercise Behaviour Change scale in young adults.

This study examined the validity and utility of the Stages of Exercise Behaviour Change (SEBC) scale in 244 young British adults. One-way ANOVA revealed significant differences (F > 7.34, P < 0.01) between the Exercise Behaviour Change Categories of Precontemplation/Contemplation (n = 49), Preparation (n = 87) and Action/Maintenance (n = 108) in self-report levels of exercise behaviour. Significant differences (F > 3.14, P < 0.05) were also revealed in exercise self-efficacy, physical self-perception sub-domains and global self-esteem scores. Subsequent step-wise discriminant analyses revealed that discrimination between the Categories of Exercise Behaviour Change was possible on the basis of selected behavioural and psychological parameters (Canonical r = 0.76-0.82, Wilks' lambda = 0.30-0.33, chi 2 = 60.3-94.6, d.f. = 14, P < 0.0001). In both males and females, the most dominant discriminatory variables in the first Function were revealed to be perceived physical conditioning and 'strenuous' exercise behaviour. For males, the second Function comprised exercise self-efficacy and perceived bodily attractiveness, whilst for females it comprised perceived bodily attractiveness, perceived sports competence and perceived physical strength. Subsequent cross-validation analysis, using a randomly selected 40% sub-sample, revealed that 67.8-70.7% of subjects were assigned to the correct Category. These results appear to confirm the concurrent validity of the SEBC scale in terms of self-report of exercise behaviour. Furthermore, the utility of the SEBC scale was demonstrated via the ability to predict membership of specific Categories of Exercise Behaviour Change using a selection of behavioural and psychological parameters.