Relationship between character strengths, objective physical fitness, and physical activity in primary school children — ASN Events
  1. Schedule
  2. Afternoon Tea & Poster Session 1
  3. Relationship between character strengths, objective physical fitness, and physical activity in primary school children

Relationship between character strengths, objective physical fitness, and physical activity in primary school children (#725)

Kensaku Sasayama 1 , Tomoya Imura 2 , Minoru Adachi 3 , Tazuko Aoki 3 , Minglu Li 3
  1. Mie University, Tu, Japan
  2. Saga University, Saga, Japan
  3. Okayama University, Okayama, Japan

Background

Several studies reported that among character strengths in adults were positively associated with physical fitness and physical activity. However, to our knowledge, the relationship between character strength, physical fitness, and physical activity has not been examined in children.

Aims

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between character strengths, objective physical fitness, and physical activity in primary school children.

Method

We measured character strengths, physical fitness, and/or physical activity of fourth- to sixth-grade participants (247 boys and 226 girls; 9-12 years old). In this study, we utilized the Values in Action Inventory of Character Strengths for Youth in Japan (VIA Youth in Japan) designed by Imura et al.1) to assess the character strengths of children. The four categories of character strengths are similar to that in the VIA-Youth2,3), and are as follows: perseverance-honesty, courage-ideas, compassion-gratitude, and fairness-care. Physical fitness was assessed by the following eight tests: hand grip (to assess muscle strength), sit-ups (abdominal strength and endurance), sit and reach (flexibility), side-to-side steps (agility), 20-m shuttle run (cardiorespiratory endurance), 50-m dash (speed), standing broad jump (explosive leg strength), and softball throwing (explosive arm strength and throwing ability). To assess physical activity, total steps and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were measured using a uniaxial accelerometer.

Results

Among boys, the total score of physical fitness was significantly associated with perseverance-honesty, courage-ideas, compassion-gratitude, and fairness-care (p < .05). Among girls, the total score of physical fitness was significantly associated with perseverance-honesty, courage-ideas, and compassion-gratitude (p < .05). Regarding the relationship between character strengths and physical activity, perseverance-honesty was significantly associated with total steps and MVPA, whereas courage-ideas were significantly associated with total steps (p < .05) in boys. In girls, perseverance-honesty was associated with MVPA (p < .05).

Conclusion

Our findings revealed that character strengths are positively associated with objective physical fitness and physical activity in primary-school children.

  1. Imura, T., Aoki, T., Takahashi, T., Nonaka, Y., & Yamada, T. (2013). [Character strengths and well-being in Japanese children and youth: Creating good habits]. Shinrigaku Kenkyu, 84(3), 247–255.
  2. Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2006). Moral competence and character strengths among adolescents: The development and validation of the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths for Youth. Journal of Adolescence, 29(6), 891–909.
  3. Toner, E., Haslam, N., Robinson, J., & Williams, P. (2012). Character strengths and wellbeing in adolescence: Structure and correlates of the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths for Children. Personality and Individual Differences, 52(5), 637–642.
  • Please select up to 3 keywords from the following list to best describe your submission content: Physical Wellbeing, Sport and Fitness
#IPPAWorldCongress