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Published on: July 27, 2022
Contribution of athletic identity to child and adolescent physical activity
Cheryl B Anderson1, Louise C Mâsse, Hong Zhang
1Department of Pediatrics, Children's Nutrition Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. cheryla@bcm.tmc.edu
Background:
Identity theorists maintain that domain-specific self-concepts help explain the differential investment of people's time and effort in various activities.
Purpose:
This study examined the contribution of athletic identity and three key demographic variables to physical activity and sports team participation.
Methods:
Students in Grades 4-5 (n=391, mean age 9.9 years, range 8-13 years, collected in 2003) and Grades 7-8 (n=948, mean age 13.6 years, range 11-15 years, collected in 2002 and 2006) completed the 40-item Athletic Identity Questionnaire, which measures self-perceptions of athletic appearance; competence; importance of physical activity and sports; and encouragement for activity from parents, teachers, and friends. Hierarchic multiple regression analyses in 2008 assessed the effects of athletic identity, race/ethnicity group, gender, and overweight status on 7-day moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and organized sport team participation in each age group.
Results:
In children and adolescents, the global score of athletic identity was independently, positively related to MVPA (p<0.0001, p<0.0001, respectively) and team participation (p<0.0001, p<0.0001, respectively), after controlling for demographic variables. More variance in MVPA was explained in children (23%) than in adolescents (5%), in contrast to team sports (5% in children, 15% in adolescents). In the subscale analyses, positive relationships for appearance, competence, importance, and parental encouragement persisted independent of demographic factors.
Conclusions:
Results support the role of athletic self-concept in promoting physical activity and organized sport participation in children and adolescents.
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