Self-perception of fitness and personality traits

Percept Mot Skills. 1994 Jun;78(3 Pt 1):843-51. doi: 10.1177/003151259407800333.

Abstract

Our aim was to analyze how subjects perceive their own physical fitness. In Study 1 the 247 subjects assessed their own fitness, endurance, strength, flexibility, and body composition according to specific category scales. Analyses showed that self-perceived physical fitness was mainly related to perceived cardiovascular endurance. According to sex and age, strength, flexibility, and body composition could have a significant influence. The scores obtained on the five scales were highly correlated, suggesting they were overdetermined by a more general factor assimilated to physical self-worth. In Study 2 the 91 subjects completed the same five scales, the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Coopersmith Self-esteem Inventory, and the Bem Sex-role Inventory. Results confirmed the hierarchical model of Fox and Corbin (1989) and showed that physical self-worth is related to self-esteem, anxiety, and masculinity.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aging / psychology*
  • Body Composition
  • Female
  • Gender Identity*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Personal Satisfaction
  • Personality Inventory
  • Personality*
  • Physical Endurance
  • Physical Fitness / psychology*
  • Self Concept*