Physical self-concept in secondary education. Relationship with academic factors

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the relationships between physical self-concept and academic factors in a sample of 1650 students from the province of Granada. The design was descriptive-exploratory, cross-sectional and ex post-facto, with basic descriptive tests, one-factor ANOVA test, Bonferroni test for inter-group relationships, and Pearson's bivariate correlations. To measure the variables, the CAF questionnaire was used for physical self-concept, and a questionnaire (ad hoc) for sociodemographicand academic variables, such as age, sex and the practice of extracurricular physical activity, as well as the type of sport and academic grade point average. The results showed that there is a significant relationship between most of the dimensions of physical self-concept and sex, being higher in boys than in girls; that those adolescents who do engage in extracurricular physical activity compared to those who do not, have a better physical self-concept; and finally that there are no significant differences between physical self-perception and academic performance. In this way, the contribution of educational contexts is suggested as one of the fundamental axes for the correct development of adolescents. It is considered necessary to involve teachers in Secondary Education in order to favour a good physical self-concept, where physical, mental and academic health is promoted using physical activity as a tool.