Physical condition, physical self-concept and academic achievement in adolescence

The objective of this study was to understand physical self-concept and how it relates to the variables physical condition, academic achievement, age, and gender. With a total of 1533 participants, 46,44% are boys, aged between 12 and 17 years old, 3rd cycle, from the Algarve region, Portugal. Physical condition, academic achievement and physical self-concept were assessed. It was found that physical condition and physical self-concept have a statistically significant relation, globally and in both genders. The averages between female and male participants differ significantly, with boys' averages being higher. The association between physical self-concept and academic achievement at a global level was positive, weak, but significant at a significance level of 0,05. In boys and girls, the correlation is equally significant, positive, and weak. Age influences in a statistically significant and opposite way the physical self-concept in the overall sample and at the female level.