Physical Self-Concept Differences in Young Male Mexican Athletes and Non-Athletes

Abstract

The object of this study consists of determining the differences and similarities in the physical self-concept between two groups, male high school Mexican students who practice a sport on a regular basis and those who do not. A total sample of 385 male students, aged 13-19 years participated in this study; 173 of them practice a sport and participate regularly in tournaments and/or competitions. A quantitative approach with a descriptive and transversal survey design was used. All the participants completed the Physical Self-Description Questionnaire. The results of the one-way multivariate analysis of variance, followed by the one-way univariate analyses of variance, show that students who do not participate in a sport regularly are the ones who obtained lower scores in the health, coordination, activity, sports competence, strength, flexibility, endurance, global physical self-concept, and global self-esteem subscales. However, in the appearance subscale, no statistically significant differences were found. Further research should reply these findings in larger samples.