A longitudinal study on self-esteem, academic achievement and regular exercise of middle school students in two Taipei schools

[[abstract]]The present study aimed to investigate the influence of junior high school students’ self-esteem, academic achievement on regular exercise using a longitudinal design. The subjects of this study were 173 students selected from two junior high schools in Taipei City. In three consecutive years, structured questionnaire were administered to collect data. Data were analyzed with logistic regression. The main results of this study were summarized as follows: 1.The rate of regular exercise of the subjects was 60% in the three investigated years. Male’s regular exercise rate was higher than female’s. Male’s regular exercise rate was decreased by grade. 2.About 40% of the subjects did regular exercise continuously during three years period with more males than females. Seventeen percent of the subjects didn’t do regular exercise in these three years with more females than males. 3.Among five individual factors, only regular exercise in seventh grade could predict regular exercise behavior in both eighth and ninth grade (O.R.= 5.79, O.R.=3.88). 4. Appearance self-esteem in seventh grade could predict regular exercise behavior in eighth grade (O.R.= 1.73). Moreover, globe self-esteem (O.R.= 2.28), academic self-esteem (O.R.= 0.44), and appearance self-esteem (O.R.= 1.85) in seventh grade could predict regular exercise behavior in ninth grade. 5.Academic achievement in seventh grade could predict regular exercise behavior in eighth grade (O.R.= 0.96) and ninth grade (O.R.= 0.94). 6. Among 12 individual, self-esteem and academic performance factors, only regular exercise in seventh grade could predict regular exercise in eighth grade. Gender, past regular exercise, global self-esteem and academic self-esteem could predict regular exercise behavior in ninth grade. Based on the results, the researcher suggests design related curriculum, enhance global self-esteem, and establish exercise habit early to promote middle school students’ regular exercise behavior.