Extra-Curricular Physical Activities and Physical Self-Perceptions in British 14ñ15-Year-Old Male and Female Adolescents

This investigation considers the differences in physical self-perceptions between participants and non-participants in extra-curricular physical activities. Pupils (N= 1130) from schools in England and Wales were asked to complete the Children and Youth Physical Self-Perception Profile (1995) and a questionnaire containing physical activity items taken from the Young People and Sport Survey (1994). Data analyses indicated that participants involved in extra-curricular physical activities displayed significantly higher attractive body adequacy and physical self-worth scores than non-participants. Boys reported significantly higher sports competence, attractive body adequacy and physical self-worth scores than girls. These findings indicate that pupils who participate in extra-curricular activities may display higher self-perceptions in some perceived domains of their physical self.