Physical activity levels and physical self-efficacy of the children in relation BMI

Purpose: Physical activity offers various opportunities for entertaining motor experiences and promotes the development of perceived self-efficacy (Vitali et al.2019). Appreciable levels of real and perceived motor competencies are essential to involve adolescents in physical education (Estevan et al.2018). Motor competence is positively associated with perceived competence and motor abilities. Objectives: a. group differences (Nw vs Ow/Ob) regarding motor performance, physical activity levels and perceived self-efficacy; b. the correlations between the physical activity levels and perceived self-efficacy in relation to BMI differences. Methods: The sample consists of 755 middle school students divided into two groups according to gender and BMI differences (Nw vs Ow-Ob); Male, Overall n = 380; age 12,26±0,88; BMI 21,14±4,42; Female: Overall n = 375; age 12,34±0,99; BMI 21,67±4,04.In addition to the descriptive statistics (M ± SD) ANOVA 2 (group, Nw vs Ow / Ob) x 2 (gender) was performed, in relation to the variables considered. The significance index was set at p <.05. All the students performed 5 motor tests (Standing long jump; 2 kg medicine ball throw; shuttle run 10x5; 6 min WT; 1 mile run) and two self report: PACES - Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale; PAQ-C-Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children. Results: Overweight and obese students show motor performance, perceived self-efficacy scores and lower levels of physical activity compared to the normal-weight group of students (p <.05). For Nw males, the study shows the following correlations between activity levels and self-efficacy: (p=0.000; r=0.30); for Ow-Ob males (p=0.000; r=0.34). Females show the following correlations: (Nw: p=0.000; r=0.43; Ow-Ob: p=0.000; r=0.44). Conclusions: The BMI conditions physical activity levels and perceived self-efficacy. The convictions of effectiveness are decisive for the learning of motor skills and for acquiring active lifestyles. Levels of physical activity, fun and perceived self-efficacy are interdependent: opportunities for fun motor experiences promote motor activity in different contexts and at different ages (Scanlan, 1992).