Associations between Weight Status and Situational Motivation toward Fitness Testing in Physical Education: The Mediator Role of Physical Fitness

Abstract

<jats:p>Background: This article examines the differences in situational motivation toward fitness testing in physical education classes between non-overweight and overweight students, as well as the mediator effect of objective and perceived physical fitness on the relationship between weight status and motivation toward fitness testing. Methods: A total of 534 adolescents (298 boys, 55.80%) participated in the study. Perceived physical fitness and situational motivation toward fitness testing were measured through questionnaires, whereas weight status and physical fitness were objectively measured. Results: Overweight students had lower intrinsic motivation (p &lt; 0.001), and higher external regulation (p &lt; 0.01) and amotivation (p &lt; 0.05) during fitness testing in a physical education class than their non-overweight peers. The influence of being overweight on motivation regulations toward fitness testing was mediated by objective physical fitness level for intrinsic motivation (B = −0.140), external regulation (B = 0.104) and amotivation (B = 0.146). Perceived physical fitness was also used as a second mediator between weight status and intrinsic motivation (B = −0.117). Conclusions: Strategies to improve objective and perceived physical fitness in overweight students are necessary to increase self-determined motivation during fitness testing in physical education lesson.</jats:p>

Physical Activity, Body Mass Index (BMI) and Abdominal Obesity of Pre-Adolescent Children in the Region of Thrace, NE Greece, in Relation to Socio-Demographic Characteristics

“…Regular physical activity can contribute to lifelong health and wellness [4]. One aspect that raises concerns about the fitness levels of children is the progressive increase in overweight and obesity [5]. Obesity occurs due to a complex interaction between genetic and external factors, including diet, exercise, and sleep [6].…”

Diseño y validación de una escala para medir en profesores de Educación Física el uso responsable de las pruebas de condición física (FITPET) (Design and validation of a scale to assess the responsible use of fitness testing in physical education teachers (FITPET))

“…Un aspecto que ha aumentado la preocupación sobre los niveles de CF basados en la salud de los estudiantes fue el aumento progresivo del sobrepeso y la obesidad en los jóvenes durante las últimas dos décadas (Ogden et al, 2016). Sin embargo, la evaluación de la CF en el entorno educativo es un elemento controvertido del currículo de EF, preocupando su posible efecto desmotivador en los estudiantes con bajo rendimiento físico (Grao-Cruces et al, 2020;Jaakkola et al, 2013;Wiersma & Sherman, 2008). Dentro de este colectivo se encuentran presumiblemente los estudiantes con sobrepeso y obesidad, cuyos niveles promedios de CF suele ser inferior al de sus pares sin exceso de peso (Martínez-López, de la Torre-Cruz, Suárez-Manzano & Palomäki, Heikinaro-Johansson & Huotari, 2015).…”