Perception of Physical Fitness and Exercise Self-Efficacy and Its Contribution to the Relationship between Body Dissatisfaction and Physical Fitness in Female Minority Children

Abstract

Body Dissatisfaction (BD) and low physical self-concept and exercise efficacy have been linked to poor physical fitness levels and adverse health outcomes in children. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between BD, physical fitness, exercise self-efficacy, and self-Perception of Physical Fitness (PFP) in Latina and Black female children. Twenty-eight Latina and Black children enrolled in an elementary afterschool program, aged 8–12, completed surveys evaluating body dissatisfaction, exercise efficacy, PFP, and measures of physical fitness. Subjects exhibited moderate but significant inverse relationships between BD and PFP in strength (r = −0.459), agility (r = −0.382), aerobic fitness (r = −0.354), and flexibility (r = −0.461) (p < 0.05 for all). There was a significant negative correlation between exercise efficacy and BD (r = −4.2; p < 0.05). Power (r = 0.51) and flexibility (r = 0.42) were the only physical fitness measures significantly and positively related to children’s PFP (p < 0.05). A significant medium inverse relationship was also found between BD and aerobic fitness scores (r = −0.381; p < 0.05). However, after controlling for exercise efficacy or perception of physical fitness, the relationship between BD and aerobic fitness was not significant (p > 0.05). Findings suggest that positive PFP and positive performance in several physical fitness measures are associated with lower levels of BD in minority female children. Furthermore, evidence suggests exercise efficacy and PFP can mediate the relationship body image and aerobic fitness. These findings suggest that PFP, more so than measured physical fitness, was associated with lower levels of BD in minority female children. These results have important implications for programs designed to improve physical fitness and mental health in minority children.

Fitness Level Differences between Students in Kosovo and Montenegro

“…Similar results noted that during adolescence there are differences that arise in motoric abilities and those are mostly expressed at the age of 13. Moreover, some studies stated that weaker motoric among females could not be prescribed only to morphological specifics, but also to the lower level of physical activity, and especially to the lower engagement in sport and recreational activities [53][54][55][56][57][58]. Studies underlined that, with increasing age, motoric abilities are improved, and the females reach the top in motoric abilities at age 14-15 [59][60][61].…”

Impact of an 8-Week Exercise and Sport Intervention on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms, Mental Health, and Physical Fitness among Male Refugees Living in a Greek Refugee Camp

“…Previous research has shown that perceived fitness is closely associated with mental wellbeing [47]. Furthermore, it is likely that increased self-perceived fitness goes along with increased self-efficacy to engage in exercise and sport activities [72]. As highlighted in the introduction, mental disorders are often paralleled by a mind-set that may interfere with the adoption and maintenance of a physically active lifestyle (e.g., feelings of exhaustion, hopelessness, resignation, social withdrawal) [73].…”

Importance of Agility Performance in Professional Futsal Players; Reliability and Applicability of Newly Developed Testing Protocols

“…Agility has been defined as “a rapid whole-body movement with change of speed or direction in response to a stimulus” [7]. This quality is recognized as an important component of efficacy in various tactical duties, and particularly, as an important facet of effectiveness in team sports [8,9,10,11]. Indeed, for some team sports, such as basketball, soccer or handball, agility is recognized as one of the most important determinants of overall success [12,13,14].…”