Associations between Motor Competence, Physical Self-Perception and Autonomous Motivation for Physical Activity in Children

Abstract

Research indicates that children and adolescents gradually participate less in physical activity with age. Several factors are associated with children’s physical activity levels, such as motor performance, self-perception of athletic competence and motivation to physical activity. To gain a better understanding of the factors of importance for behavior related to an active lifestyle, the purpose of this study was to investigate the association between motor competence, physical self-perception and autonomous motivation and to examine to what extent this association may vary by sex. The sample consisted of 101 children, whose average age was 11.7 years (SD = 0.57), 53 boys and 48 girls. All subjects were measured on motor competence, physical self-perception and autonomous motivation for physical activity. The results indicate a low positive relationship between motor competence and physical self-perception for the entire sample and among girls. There is also a significant correlation between autonomous motivation and physical self-perception. No significant correlations were found between autonomous motivation and motor competence. The association between physical self-perception and autonomous motivation suggests that psychological factors play an important role in children’s participation in physical activity.

Physical Self-Concept Changes in Adults and Older Adults: Influence of Emotional Intelligence, Intrinsic Motivation and Sports Habits

“…It is now well established from a variety of studies that these problems can be mitigated by promoting a healthier and more active life among older people, an action that also impacts on quality of life, since the practice of physical activity (PA), in addition to reducing the risk of death from all causes, contracting cancer, diabetes or cardiovascular disease, has a direct impact on one of its main components, physical and mental functional capacity [ 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. However, despite the many benefits of physical activity and the fact that the current older generation are healthier and feel younger than similarly aged individuals of past generations [ 6 ], older people are not active enough, with less than a third practicing PA regularly, so it is necessary to seek urgent measures to reverse this situation and increase participation [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ].…”

“…While the reciprocal relationship between PA and PSC is widely documented [ 12 , 24 , 25 , 26 ], the evolution of PSC across a lifespan is not clear. Longitudinal studies are still scarce, with comparisons between age-groups prevailing, mainly focusing on child and adolescent stages, and there is no consensus on the results [ 13 , 14 , 22 , 27 , 28 , 29 ].…”

“…There are numerous references found in the literature that describe the relationship between physical self-concept and sports habits, specifically the time of dedication to sports practice, as positive and reciprocal [ 12 , 18 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 51 , 52 ]. Nevertheless, the studies concerning the relationship between physical self-concept and intrinsic motivation are scarce, and their results are contradictory.…”

“…Nevertheless, the studies concerning the relationship between physical self-concept and intrinsic motivation are scarce, and their results are contradictory. Some of them consider this relationship to be positive [ 12 , 51 , 53 ], and others consider it negative [ 54 ]. Recent literature reviews published on the relationship between emotional intelligence and sports [ 55 , 56 , 57 ] show that a higher level of EI generates a more positive attitude towards the practice of PA, a greater frequency of practice, more fun and enjoyment, and a lower level of anxiety and competitive stress.…”

Perceived Physical Competence Predicts Gains in Children’s Locomotor but Not Ball Skills across an Intervention

“…Perceived physical competence (PPC) is a child’s belief about their ability to move [ 8 ] and is associated with children’s motor competence [ 1 , 15 ] and physical activity [ 16 , 17 ]. Perceived competence is also associated with children’s and youth’s motivation to engage in physical education [ 18 ] and physical activity [ 19 ]. PPC may be an important individual constraint to consider in other movement environments, such as gross motor skill interventions.…”