Promoting the veridicality of physical self-concept through self-assessment: an intervention study in primary school physical education

Background Fostering children's physical self-concept (PSC) – understood as the perception of their own physical abilities – is a key objective in physical education (PE), as PSC is associated with physical activity, fitness, and well-being. However, recent research suggests that not only the level of PSC but also its accuracy – referred to as veridicality of the PSC – is important. Children, particularly in primary school, often overestimate their physical abilities. Self-assessment methods have been shown to foster self-regulated learning and shape PSC. However, little is known about their effects on PSC, fitness, and PSC veridicality in primary school PE.