title: Association of Self-Perceived Physical Competence and Leisure-Time Physical Activity in Childhood-A Follow-Up Study.
abstract: The basis of self-perceived physical competence is built in childhood and school personnel have an important role in this developmental process. We investigated the association between initial self-perceived physical competence and reported leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) longitudinally in 10-, 12-, and 15-year-old children.
  
  
  
  This longitudinal follow-up study comprises pupils from an elementary school cohort (N = 1346) in the city of Turku, Finland (175,000 inhabitants). The self-perceived physical competence (fitness and appearance) and LTPA data were collected with questionnaires. The full longitudinal data were available from 571 pupils based on repeated studies at the ages of 10, 12, and 15 years in 2004, 2006, and 2010. We analyzed the association of self-perceived physical competence and LTPA using regression models.
  
  
  
  Self-perceived physical competence was positively associated with LTPA at all ages (10 years p < .05, 12 years p < .0001, 15 years p < .0001). Increase in the self-perceived physical fitness scores was likely to associate with higher LTPA at each age point (10 years [odds ratio, OR] = 1.18, 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.09-1.27; 12 years [OR] = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.18-1.37; and 15 years [OR] = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.19-1.38).
  
  
  
  Self-perceived physical competence is associated with LTPA in children and adolescents, and the association is strengthened with age.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Science, FI-20014 University of Turku, Finland.|Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: Lotta
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hamari
authors.affiliation: Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.|Paavo Nurmi Centre & Department of Physical Activity and Health, FI-20014 University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520 Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: Olli J
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Heinonen
authors.affiliation: Children and Adolescents Out-patient Clinic, City of Turku, Turku, Finland.|Department of Public Health, FI-20014 University of Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: Minna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aromaa
authors.affiliation: Department of Teacher Education, Turku Unit, FI-20014 University of Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: Riitta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Asanti
authors.affiliation: University Consortium of Seinäjoki, School of Health Sciences, University of Tampere, Kampusranta 9C, 60320 Seinäjoki, Finland.
authors.forename: Leena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Koivusilta
authors.affiliation: Department of Teacher Education, Rauma Unit, University of Turku, PL 175, 26101 Rauma, Finland.
authors.forename: Pasi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Koski
authors.affiliation: Turku University of Applied Sciences, Health and Well-being, Ruiskatu 8, 20720 Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: Camilla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Laaksonen
authors.affiliation: Turku University Hospital, Clinical Research Centre, PO Box 52, FI-20521, Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: Jaakko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Matomäki
authors.affiliation: Paavo Nurmi Centre & Department of Health and Physical Activity, University of Turku, Finland.|Research Centre of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520 Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: Katja
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pahkala
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Science, FI-20014 University of Turku, Finland.|Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: Anni
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pakarinen
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, FI-20014 University of Turku, Finland.|University of Skövde, Sweden.
authors.forename: Sakari
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suominen
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Science, FI-20014 University of Turku, Finland.|Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: Sanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salanterä
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001828:Body Image; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities / Q000523:psychology*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000523:psychology*; D012649:Self Concept
keywords: children; follow-up study; leisure-time physical activity; self-perceived physical competence