A Physical Self-Efficacy Scale for Children

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to develop a physical self-efficacy scale to assess children's perception of personal strength, speed, and coordinative abilities. A 6-item scale, titled Perceived Physical Ability Scale for Children, was presented to a sample of 1914 children, 997 girls and 917 boys, ranging in age from 8 to 10 years, drawn from 15 elementary schools representing different regions of Italy. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses of the data provided support for the internal validity and reliability of a single factor structure of the scale across sex and age categories. It is argued that the scale can be used for both research and applied purposes.

Physical self-efficacy in women’s artistic gymnastic between recreational and competitive level

“…The tool used to analyse the Perceived Physical Ability is PPASC test (Colella, 2008). It is a simply questionnaire structured in response scales having a 1-to 4-point format on the six items: speed, ability, strength, rapidity, self-confidence and tiredness (Table 1).…”

“…High scores would indicate a high self-perception of physical ability, whereas low scores would reflect a low self-perception (Colella & Morano, 2008 …”

“…The purpose of the study was to verify the difference in physical self-efficacy (perceived) between gymnasts practicing sports at recreational level and gymnasts, however, which train at a competitive level. The Perceived Physical Ability Scale for Children by Colella (2008) was presented to a sample of 58 gymnasts, 29 practicing sports at recreational level and 29 practicing sports at competitive level in random selection, ranging in age from 8 to 10 years old. The items of the PPASC are: speed, ability, strength, rapidity, self-confidence and tiredness.…”

“…It is theorized that self-efficacy belief influences motivation, affect and behaviour. Self-efficacy regarding motor activities has been widely investigated (Feltz, 1992) and represents a frame of reference to explain links between cognitive processes and physical performance (Colella & Morano, 2008). The purpose of the study was to verify the difference in physical self-efficacy (perceived) between gymnasts practicing sports at recreational level and gymnasts, however, which train at a competitive level.…”

Negative correlation between BMI and perception of physical activity in adolescents

“…The development of obesity is a complex problem, conditioned by heterogeneous factors including genetic predispositions, eating habits, socio-cultural factors and physical inactivity (Krebs & Jacobson, 2003). Recent scientific evidence warns that the sedentary habits of children and young people are among the main causes of the decline in motor skills and predispose the body to various non-communicable diseases, often linked to obesity (Colella, Morano, Bortoli, & Robazza, 2008). The factors that can influence the probability that a child or adolescent is physically active are multiple: gender difference, family and peer group attitude with respect to physical and sports activities, self-efficacy perception, self-perception of physical and sports competence, accessibility (physical, social, economic, cultural) of structures, self-esteem, socio-cultural perspectives related to physical activity and sport (D'Isanto, Manna, & Altavilla, 2017).…”