Aging‐related changes in the relationship between the physical self‐concept and the physical fitness in elderly individuals

Abstract

The paper focuses on long‐term changes in parameters of self‐perception (ie, physical self‐concept, self‐esteem, and self‐efficacy), physical activity, and its relationship to physical fitness of healthy and active old adults. The sample of 22 physically active and healthy elderly (age M _t1  = 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. Self‐reports on physical self‐concept ( PSK), general self‐esteem and self‐efficacy, and an activity index were assessed and compared to physical fitness data ( VO _2max and muscle strength). Significant time effects (over 6 years) were obtained with respect to global physical self‐concept, endurance ( PSK), and VO _2max. Muscle strength turned out to be stable over time. The positive correlations between VO _2max and the corresponding self‐concept evaluation of endurance abilities diminished across the 6 years. Self‐esteem correlated with the PSK scales and VO _2max. In contrast to our expectation, self‐esteem, self‐efficacy, and activity level hardly predicted changes in the PSK scales, VO _2max, and physical strength. Although VO _2max and some parameters of the physical self‐concept declined over the 6 years, results indicate that physical self‐concept, self‐esteem, self‐efficacy, physical fitness, and physical activity display a complex pattern. The decrease in self‐perception measured by the correlation of PSK and physical fitness suggests that self‐concept of old adults is not sensitive to changes in physical fitness.