RESUMO
El objetivo de este estudio es someter a prueba dos modelos contrapuestos sobre las relaciones entre las autopercepciones físicas y la actividad físico-deportiva en la adolescencia: mientras que un modelo postula la influencia de la actividad física sobre el autoconcepto físico, el modelo alternativo propone al autoconcepto físico como factor influyente en la actividad físico-deportiva. Participan en la investigación 704 estudiantes, 394 (55.96 %) hombres y 310 (44.04 %) mujeres entre 11 y 19 años (M = 14.91; D.T. = 2.13), residentes en dos Comunidades Autónomas (Cantabria y País Vasco) de España. Los resultados indican que las influencias entre el autoconcepto físico y la actividad físico-deportiva se producen de forma bidireccional si bien ajusta mejor el modelo que propone al autoconcepto físico como factor influyente. Se comprueban diferencias entre hombres y mujeres en el modelo. Por otro lado, la autopercepción de atractivo físico mantiene una relación negativa con la actividad físico-deportiva (AU)
The aim of this study is to test two opposing models of the relationship between physical self-perceptions and physical activity during adolescence: one which postulates that physical activity influences physical self-concept, and another one which proposes that physical self-concept influences physical activity. Participants were 704 students aged between 11 and 19 (M = 14.91; SD = 2.13) from two different Autonomous Regions in Spain (Cantabria and the Basque Country). 394 (55.96%) were male and 310 (44.04%) were female. The results indicate that the influences between physical self-concept and physical activity are bidirectional in nature, although the model that proposes physical self-concept as an influencing factor was found to have a better fitness. Differences were found in the model between male and female students. Furthermore, self-perception of physical attractiveness was found to be negatively related to physical activity (AU)