Self-Concept in Adolescents-Relationship between Sport Participation, Motor Performance and Personality Traits.

The relationship between sport participation, personality development, self-concept and self-esteem has been discussed repeatedly. In this research, a standardized written survey together with tests on motor performance were carried out with 1399 students (707 male; 692 female) in school years 7 (12.9 ± 0.6 years) and 10 (15.8 ± 0.6 years) to measure the extent of a relationship between physical self-concept (self-developed short scale) and sporting activity, measured motor performance (German motor performance test DMT (Deutscher Motorik-Test) 6⁻18) and report mark in physical education. Relationships were also analyzed between physical self-concept and general personality traits (neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experiences, compatibility, and conscientiousness, measured with NEO Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI)). The assessment of own physical attractiveness and own athleticism differs by sex ((1, 962) = 35.21; < 0.001), whereby girls assess themselves more critically. Weak significant relationships are displayed between motor performance and the assessment of own physical attractiveness ((395) = 0.31; < 0.01). Motor performance is given a higher predictive value with regard to a subject's own self-concept, (physical attractiveness = 0.37; (249) = 5.24; < 0.001; athleticism = 0.40; (248) = 6.81; < 0.001) than the mark achieved in physical education (physical attractiveness = -0.01; ; athleticism = -0.30; (248) = 5.10; < 0.001). Relationships were found overall between personality traits and physical self-concept. The influence of the 'neuroticism' trait is particularly strong (physical attractiveness = -0.44; (947) = -13.58; < 0.001; athleticism = -0.27; (948) = -7.84; < 0.001). The more pronounced this trait, the lower the assessment of own physical attractiveness and own athleticism.