Exploring the relationship between physical activity behavior, sport modality, and higher-order psychosocial skills in children

Abstract This study investigated the association among physical activity and sport modality on fair play, moral decision-making, physical self-efficacy, and self-esteem in young children. The sample consisted of 129 primary school children (59 females). The findings revealed that both physical activity and sex variables had a general impact on fair play, whereas sport modality did not display any significant association with the studied constructs. In terms of moral decision-making, sex emerged as a significant predictor, while physical activity and sport modality did not show any noticeable effect. Regarding self-esteem, no notable distinctions were found among the independent variables. However, sex, physical activity level, and sport modality were identified as significant predictors of physical self-efficacy. This study emphasizes the intricate nature of these constructs and underscores the significance of considering multiple factors when examining their interrelationships.