Motivation, Self-Concept and Discipline in Young Adolescents Who Practice Rhythmic Gymnastics. An Intervention

Abstract

This study aims to develop an intervention based on TARGET strategies in young people practicing rhythmic gymnastics, with the aim of observing whether motivation, discipline, self-concept and flexibility are improved. This research is a longitudinal study of a quasi-experimental nature. A total of 104 young adolescents between the ages of 11 and 12 years (11.66 ± 0.47) participated in the study, of which 60 belong to the control group and 44 to the experimental group. The intervention programme lasted two months (17 sessions). TARGET strategies were applied to the experimental group during training. While the experimental group continued with its routine training. To measure the psychological variables, the instrument used were the Youth Physical Self-Concept Scale (C-PSQ), Reason Scale for Discipline (RSD) and Success Perception Questionnaire (SPQ), and for flexibility, the tests were applied to the Sit and Reach and Deep trunk flexion test. The results showed that those teenagers who participated in the intervention, obtained an increased climate task, which entails an enjoyment by the practice of physical activity itself, more optimal levels of physical self-concept and discipline, subsequently, obtaining better results of flexibility. While in the control group gymnasts the ego climate and demotivation increased. TARGET strategies applied to young adolescents have positive effects, improve motivation towards physical activity, self-concept and discipline. This results in greater performance in flexibility. This will encourage young adolescents to continue to engage in physical activity in the future.

An Explanatory Model of Sport Motivation, Physical Self-Concept and Anxiety as a Function of the Degree of Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Future Physical Education Teachers

“…Looking at the variables that make up the task climate, it is observed that participants who show low adherence to the Mediterranean diet show higher scores than those who claim to have a medium or high adherence. Similar results were obtained by González-Valero et al [ 45 ] and Balaguer et al [ 46 ], who stated that the main reason for these results is that people who orientate their physical activity towards factors are not concerned about the care of their diet, as they do not require a high sporting performance. On the other hand, regarding the variables that make up the ego-climate, it is observed that those participants who show a high degree of adherence to the Mediterranean diet show higher scores.…”

“…Likewise, looking at the relationships between physical self-concept and motivational climate, positive relationships are observed for low and medium adherence, but negative relationships are obtained for participants who show optimal adherence. Very distant results were found by González-Valero et al [ 45 ] where Conde-Pipó et al [ 51 ] state that a positive motivation towards activity practice has a positive impact on people’s physical self-image. However, Puertas-Molero et al [ 24 ] and Marfil-Carmona et al [ 25 ] point to the media as a discontent with the mental image that the person has of him/herself, affecting physical and mental health [ 52 ].…”

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

“…The before-mentioned is defined as the collection of beliefs about one’s self and is also associated with health behaviors [ 15 ], and following the multidimensional and hierarchical model proposed by Shavelson [ 20 ], it is divided into academic, social, family, emotional and physical dimensions [ 15 , 21 ]. The physical self-concept (PSC) is therefore the set of ideas that we believe define us physically [ 22 ], and is in turn made up of four other dimensions, physical condition (PC), sports competence (SC), physical attractiveness (AT) and physical strength (ST) [ 23 ].…”

“…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 ]. In studies that have addressed this issue in adulthood and old age, the results are inconsistent.…”

Adherence to a Mediterranean Diet Pattern, Physical Activity, and Physical Self-Concept in Spanish Older Adults

“…Physical self-concept (PSC) is defined as the set of ideas and abilities that we believe define us physically [25,26]. It is comprised of four subdomains: physical condition, sports competition, physical attractiveness and strength [27,28].…”