Psychological domain of physical Literacy: relationship between perceived competence, motivation, and enjoyment of Physical Education classes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v73.116842Keywords:
Physical Literacy, perceived competence, motivation, Self-determination theory, motor developmentAbstract
Introduction: This study explores the relationship between key psychological variables of Physical Literacy, such as perceived motor competence (PMC), motivation, and enjoyment in Physical Education (PE) classes, and how these differ by gender and socio-economic status.
Methodology: 707 Chilean fifth and sixth-grade primary school students, categorized according to the School Vulnerability Index, participated in the study. Validated questionnaires were administered to measure PMC (object control and self-movement), motivation, and enjoyment in PE.
Results: The results show significant correlations between PMC, motivation, and enjoyment. In general, students with higher PMC tend to show more self-determined motivation and enjoyment in PE. Boys perceive themselves to be more competent in object control activities, while girls excel in self-movement. No gender differences were found in enjoyment, but boys re-ported greater external motivation and demotivation. In terms of socio-economic level, students with lower school vulnerability presented higher levels of PMC in object control, higher intrinsic motivation, and lower demotivation. They also reported greater enjoyment in PE.
Discussion: These findings suggest that the social and economic environment influences the psychological domain of Physical Literacy, possibly due to differential access to extracurricular physical experiences.
Conclusions: PMC, motivation, and enjoyment are fundamental volitional factors for the promotion of physical activity throughout life, and should be considered in school-based interventions, especially in contexts of high vulnerability and with a gender equity focus.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Paulina Candia-Cabrera, Nicolas Martinez-Lopez, Claudia Castro-Astete, Soffia Moreno-Molina, Sebastian Novoa-Morales, Javiera Parada-Diaz, Natalia Espina-Teillier, Jaime Carcamo-Oyarzun
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