A study by Sho Ito and colleagues at Nanzan University explores the subjective nature of athleticism, revealing how personal traits and external factors influence one's athletic identity.
Published in PLOS One, the research examines how young individuals, particularly college undergraduates, perceive their athletic ability, offering insights for physical education, sports psychology, and overall health strategies.
The study correlates subjective athleticism with traits like grit, resilience, and growth mindset, suggesting that internal cognitive frameworks play a crucial role in shaping perceived athletic potential.
Family dynamics and developmental milestones also impact subjective athleticism, with youngest siblings and early walkers tending to have higher self-evaluations.
Social feedback, especially from family and peers, contributes significantly to the construction of athletic identity, alongside parental influence and economic status.
Participants with elevated athletic self-perceptions tend to dedicate more time to physical activities, demonstrating behavioral preferences for sports over leisure activities.
The study underscores the need for longitudinal research to uncover causal relationships between personality traits, family factors, and athletic self-perceptions.
Insights from the study could inform interventions to promote physical activity among youth, emphasizing the role of motivation, resilience, and supportive environments.
By incorporating subjective perceptions alongside objective metrics, educators and policymakers can better support young people in developing confidence and continual growth in their athletic pursuits.
The research challenges simplistic models of athletic identity formation, advocating for a comprehensive understanding that considers psychological, social, and biological influences.