How long can you hold on? Physical self-efficacy predicts performance estimation accuracy independent of leisure-time physical activity

TL;DR

This study shows that a person's belief in their physical abilities helps them better estimate their performance in exercises, regardless of how active they are in their free time.

Contribution

The study demonstrates that physical self-efficacy, not leisure-time physical activity, predicts performance estimation accuracy.

Findings

Participants underestimated their performance in physical exercises regardless of their activity levels.

Physical self-efficacy was strongly linked to more accurate performance estimation across all exercises.

The relationship between self-efficacy and estimation accuracy was not influenced by leisure-time physical activity.

Abstract

Accurately estimating future performance is crucial for optimizing performance in sports and exercise. In our study, we aimed to explore the relationship between physical self-efficacy and the accuracy of performance estimation in various physical exercises.

Data were collected from N = 31 students (M = 23.5 years, n = 23 female, BMI 17–30, not engaged in any competitive sports). Measurements included questionnaires on physical activity and physical self-efficacy. Participants estimate their performance in five exercises, prior to performing them: (a) dumbbell hold, (b) plank, (c) vertical jump, (d) grip strength and (e) flamingo balance test.

Independently of leisure-time physical activity, participants underestimated their performance in these exercises. Physical self-efficacy was neither associated with levels of intense, leisure-time physical activity (r = 0.243, p > 0.05), nor with objective performance (all p > 0.05). However, physical self-efficacy was significantly associated with greater accuracy in performance estimation across all exercises (p < 0.01). These relationships were not mediated by leisure-time physical activity.

Physical self-efficacy was positively associated with the congruency between estimation and objective performance, independent of leisure-time physical activity. These findings contribute to self-regulation research by emphasizing self-efficacy as a key factor in performance estimation accuracy, prioritizing cognitive mechanisms over behavioral engagement in self-assessment, and highlight its potential relevance in coaching and self-regulation.

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