Overview

• Researchers analyzed questionnaires from 406 Japanese undergraduates who rated their competence across 11 sports disciplines.
• Students with higher self-perceived athletic ability scored higher on grit, resilience and growth mindset assessments.
• Family factors—such as being the youngest sibling, having athletic parents and higher household income—correlated with stronger athletic self-images.
• Frequent external feedback labeling participants as “athletic” and earlier walking milestones were linked to higher self-ratings, while engagement in games or music corresponded with lower perceived ability.
• The authors emphasize that the findings are correlational and call for further research to guide interventions promoting youth physical activity.