T he purpose of this study was to explain physical activity (PA) using Block and Block's (2006a) ego-resiliency and ego-control theory along with measures of self-control and PA enjoyment. One-hundred and seventy-seven African American high school students from a large Midwest inner city participated. In general, cluster analyses provided support for the importance of ego-resiliency and PA enjoyment as there were strongly affiliated with differential amounts of PA. Ego-control and self-control were also important in cluster formation but related to PA in somewhat unexpected ways.

The purpose of this study was to predict physical activity (PA) using multidimensional physical self‐concept theory with underserved urban inner city youth. Eight‐hundred and sixty‐five, mostly African‐American, high school students from a large Midwest inner city participated in the current study. Using structural equation modeling, we found support for multidimensional self‐concept theory. We argue against one‐dimensional models of self‐esteem as two discrete physical self‐concepts accounted for significant variance in PA. Endurance and sport self‐concepts both contributed to predicting unique variance (15%) in PA.