title: Maturational differences in physical self- perceptions and the relationship with physical activity in early adolescent girls.
abstract: This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between physical self-perceptions (PSPs), maturation, and physical activity and compared the strength of the relationships of biological and chronological age with PSPs in early adolescent girls (N = 208; mean age = 11.83 +/- 0.39 years). Participants completed the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children, the Children's Physical Self-Perception Profile, and the Pubertal Development Scale. Results indicated that PSPs were significantly and moderately correlated with physical activity. There were no differences in physical activity between maturation stages. Girls who were in the early stages of maturation had significantly more positive perceptions of body attractiveness and physical self-worth than girls in the mid stages of maturation. There was no evidence of a relationship between PSPs and chronological age. This study provided further support for the relationship between PSPs and physical activity and the relationship between maturation and aspects of PSPs. In this age group, maturation does not appear to be related to physical activity or the PSPs most strongly influential on physical activity behavior.
authors: School of Life Science, Heriot Watt University, Riccarton, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
authors: Alisa G
authors: AG
authors: Niven
authors: Samantha G
authors: SG
authors: Fawkner
authors: Anne-Marie
authors: AM
authors: Knowles
authors: Claire
authors: C
authors: Stephenson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001828:Body Image; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires