Aging-related changes in the relationship between the physical selfconcept and the physical fitness in elderly individuals

The paper focuses on longterm changes in parameters of selfperception (ie, physical selfconcept, selfesteem, and selfefficacy), physical activity, and its relationship to physical fitness of healthy and active old adults. The sample of 22 physically active and healthy elderly (age Mt1 = 66.00) originates in an earlier skiing intervention study following a longitudinal study design with four time points of measurement over a period of 6 years. Selfreports on physical selfconcept (PSK), general selfesteem and selfefficacy, and an activity index were assessed and compared to physical fitness data (VO2max and muscle strength). Significant time effects (over 6 years) were obtained with respect to global physical selfconcept, endurance (PSK), and VO2max. Muscle strength turned out to be stable over time. The positive correlations between VO2max and the corresponding selfconcept evaluation of endurance abilities diminished across the 6 years. Selfesteem correlated with the PSK scales and VO2max. In contrast to our expectation, selfesteem, selfefficacy, and activity level hardly predicted changes in the PSK scales, VO2max, and physical strength. Although VO2max and some parameters of the physical selfconcept declined over the 6 years, results indicate that physical selfconcept, selfesteem, selfefficacy, physical fitness, and physical activity display a complex pattern. The decrease in selfperception measured by the correlation of PSK and physical fitness suggests that selfconcept of old adults is not sensitive to changes in physical fitness.(VLID)359844