Félix Zurita-Ortega *, José Ignacio Álvaro-González **, Manuel Castro-Sánchez **, Emily Knox ***, José Joaquín Muros * and Virginia Viciana-Garófano *
(*) Department of Didactics of Musical, Plastic and Corporal Expression. Faculty of Education Sciences, University of Granada, Spain
(**) Research group HUM-238, University of Granada, Spain
(***) British Heart Foundation National Centre for Physical Activity and Health, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK
Citation
Zurita-Ortega, F., Ignacio Álvaro-González, J., Castro-Sánchez, M., Knox, E., Joaquín Muros, J., Viciana-Garófano, V. (2016). The influence of exercise on adolescents self-concept. International Journal of Sport Psychology, 47(1), 67-80. doi:10.7352/IJSP.2016.47.067
Abstract
The present research sheds light on the importance of physical activity with regards to self-concept in Spanish adolescents and considers physical exercise, family and academic variables. An explanatory and relational study was conducted. A total of 2,134 teenagers aged between 15 and 18 years old participated in the study. A descriptive and relational analysis by means of the ANOVA Test was also undertaken. The results obtained are discussed here taking into account the relevant specialised literature. It was found that two thirds of the students sampled did exercise regularly, team sports being the most popular. These learners presented a high degree of self-concept, particularly for the social and family dimensions. It can also be concluded from this study that better physical condition and appearance are related to sport engagement, and that physical activity is related to improved selfimage and to fostering social and family relationships.
Keywords: Adolescents, Physical activity, Self-concept, Family, Sport