Students' physical activity intensity and sedentary behaviour by physical self-concept profiles: A latent profile analysis

Abstract

Aims of this study were to identify student clusters in physical appearance, sport competence, global physical self-concept and self-esteem, and to examine whether different physical self-concept groups differ in their moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behaviour. Participants of the study were 211 boys and 183 girls aged 13-16 years. MVPA and sedentary behaviour were monitored by GT3X accelerometers during seven days. Participants' physical self-concept was measured by the short Physical Self-Description Questionnaire. Latent profile analyses revealed a four-cluster solution: 1) "low sport competence, moderate global physical self-concept and self-esteem, and high physical appearance"; 2) "high sport competence, moderate global physical self-concept and self-esteem, and low physical appearance"; 3) "moderate sport competence, global physical self-concept, self-esteem, and physical appearance", and 4) "moderate sport competence and global physical self-concept, high self-esteem, and low physical appearance". Multivariate analysis of variance showed differences in MVPA between boys' in clusters 2 and 3 (p < .05). Students' MVPA levels differ by physical self-concept profiles.