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Background <p>Insufficient levels of physical activity (PA) among adolescents are increasingly recognized as a public health concern. Physical self-concept (PSC) and PA avoidance have been shown to be closely related to PA participation. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the temporal predictive relationships among these three variables and their dynamic interaction over time.</p> Methods <p>A longitudinal design was employed, and the temporal associations and longitudinal mediation effects were examined using a random-intercept cross-lagged panel model (RI-CLPM). After controlling for gender, age, body mass index (BMI), and pubertal development, the temporal and directional associations and mechanisms (between adolescents’ PSC, PA avoidance, and self-reported PA) were examined. Online surveys were conducted at three time points-November 2023 (T1), November 2024 (T2), and November 2025 (T3). The final sample of individuals who completed all surveys consisted of 1,162 adolescents.</p> Results <p>PSC at T1 negatively predicted PA avoidance at T2 (β = −0.19, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.01), and T2 PSC negatively predicted T3 PA avoidance (β = −0.17, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.01). PA avoidance negatively predicted subsequent self-reported PA, with paths from T1 to T2 (β = −0.16, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.01) and from T2 to T3 (β = −0.20, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.01). There was a significant bidirectional relationship between PSC and self-reported PA (β = 0.22–0.29, all <i>p</i> &lt; 0.01). Moreover, PSC at T1 was indirectly related to self-reported PA at T3 through the mediation of PA avoidance at T2 (β = 0.038, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.01).</p> Conclusions <p>PSC exerted a positive predictive effect on self-reported PA levels via the mediation of PA avoidance. Conversely, self-reported PA levels also positively predicted PSC. These findings indicate that adolescent PA promotion should not only aim to increase activity opportunities or duration, but also target PSC and avoidance-related psychological barriers. Interventions that strengthen positive physical self-perceptions and reduce avoidance tendencies may help disrupt maladaptive cycles and support more sustainable engagement in physical activity.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>

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Physical self-concept and physical activity avoidance as predictors of adolescent physical activity: evidence from a two-year longitudinal study

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月29日

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  • Bowen Li,
  • Junyan Yu,
  • Yi Gao,
  • Su Sean Yong,
  • Jian Fu,
  • Lili Feng

摘要

Background

Insufficient levels of physical activity (PA) among adolescents are increasingly recognized as a public health concern. Physical self-concept (PSC) and PA avoidance have been shown to be closely related to PA participation. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the temporal predictive relationships among these three variables and their dynamic interaction over time.

Methods

A longitudinal design was employed, and the temporal associations and longitudinal mediation effects were examined using a random-intercept cross-lagged panel model (RI-CLPM). After controlling for gender, age, body mass index (BMI), and pubertal development, the temporal and directional associations and mechanisms (between adolescents’ PSC, PA avoidance, and self-reported PA) were examined. Online surveys were conducted at three time points-November 2023 (T1), November 2024 (T2), and November 2025 (T3). The final sample of individuals who completed all surveys consisted of 1,162 adolescents.

Results

PSC at T1 negatively predicted PA avoidance at T2 (β = −0.19, p < 0.01), and T2 PSC negatively predicted T3 PA avoidance (β = −0.17, p < 0.01). PA avoidance negatively predicted subsequent self-reported PA, with paths from T1 to T2 (β = −0.16, p < 0.01) and from T2 to T3 (β = −0.20, p < 0.01). There was a significant bidirectional relationship between PSC and self-reported PA (β = 0.22–0.29, all p < 0.01). Moreover, PSC at T1 was indirectly related to self-reported PA at T3 through the mediation of PA avoidance at T2 (β = 0.038, p < 0.01).

Conclusions

PSC exerted a positive predictive effect on self-reported PA levels via the mediation of PA avoidance. Conversely, self-reported PA levels also positively predicted PSC. These findings indicate that adolescent PA promotion should not only aim to increase activity opportunities or duration, but also target PSC and avoidance-related psychological barriers. Interventions that strengthen positive physical self-perceptions and reduce avoidance tendencies may help disrupt maladaptive cycles and support more sustainable engagement in physical activity.

Graphical abstract