An Analysis of the Effects of Frequency and Type of Physical Activity on Self-Esteem in Adolescent Males

Abstract

The goal of this study is to determine the effect of type and frequency of exercise on the self-esteem of college-aged males using a two-part online survey distributed amongst Georgetown students. Recent literature has investigated the implications of exercise on individuals’ self-perception, in which partaking in frequent endurance exercise is associated with higher levels of self-esteem. Consequently, my research group postulated that if male college students perform endurance exercise, rather than strength exercise, then they will have a higher level of self-esteem. Additionally, it was hypothesized that if exercise is performed at a high frequency, versus a low frequency, then they would have a higher level of self-esteem. Frequency of exercise was operationalized through hours per week, in which each subject was then categorized into a type of exercise based on which they reported having the highest frequency. Self-esteem was calculated through responses to a modified version of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (Rosenberg, 1965). The results indicated that the high frequency endurance group had the highest mean self-esteem score, followed by the high frequency strength group, low frequency strength group, and low frequency endurance group. Through a 2x2 ANOVA test with a between-groups design, it was revealed that frequency of exercise, not type of exercise, had the most significant effect on self-esteem. Therefore, the relationship between frequency of exercise and self-esteem was found to be statistically significant, while that between type of exercise and self esteem was not. These conclusions are relevant to building upon related academic literature concerning male self-esteem and the impacts of physical activity, as well as incorporation into university settings in order to improve students’ self-esteem levels.

Advances in the Understanding of the Affective and Cognitive Effects of Physical Activity, Exercise, and Sports

“…In a longitudinal cohort study among kindergarten to fourth-grade females, Noordstar et al (2016) found that changes in global SE were significantly associated with perceived athletic proficiency and moderate-to-vigorous PA. Recently, Romero et al (2022) reported on the positive effects of endurance and strength exercises on SE in male college students. There was a statistically significant relationship between exercise frequency and SE, while the relationship between exercise type and SE was not significant.…”

Increased physical activity, higher educational attainment, and the use of mobility aid are associated with self-esteem in people with physical disabilities

“…In a longitudinal cohort study among kindergarten to fourth-grade females, Noordstar et al (2016) found that changes in global SE were significantly associated with perceived athletic proficiency and moderate-to-vigorous PA. Recently, Romero et al (2022) reported on the positive effects of endurance and strength exercises on SE in male college students. There was a statistically significant relationship between exercise frequency SE, while the relationship between exercise type and SE was not significant.…”