Abstract
Purpose
Research has shown that there is a decrease in physical activity levels during early
adolescence, especially for girls. Previous studies have shown that the social physique
anxiety (SPA) may be a controlling factor influencing exercise motivation and engagement
in this behavior; however, the potential role that puberty plays in this decrease
has not been considered until now. The objective of the present study was to examine
the impact of pubertal timing and pubertal tempo on SPA and exercise motivation and
behavior.
Methods
Data from 328 early adolescent girls, aged between 9 and 12 at the time of joining
the study, were collected in 3 waves over a 2-year period. Using structural equation
modeling techniques, different 3-time-point growth models were estimated to examine
if earlier maturing and compressed maturing in girls had differential effects on SPA
and exercise motivation and behavior.
Results
The results from growth analyses suggest that early maturing (according to all the
pubertal indicators considered, except menstruation) tends to translate into (1) an
increase in SPA levels and (2) a decrease in exercise - in the latter case, by reducing
self-determined motivation. However, no differential effects from any of the pubertal
indicators were found for compressed maturing in girls.
Discussion
These results highlight the need for increased efforts toward developing programs
aimed at helping early maturing girls to cope with the challenges of puberty with
a particular focus on SPA experiences and exercise motivation and behavior.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 17, 2023
Accepted:
January 21,
2023
Received:
August 3,
2022
Publication stage
In Press Corrected ProofFootnotes
Conflicts of interest: The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship and/or publication of this article.
Identification
Copyright
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