Fitness promotion in college: the relationships among students’ perceived physical literacy, knowledge, and physical fitness

• Published in: Frontiers in psychology Vol. 15; p. 1305121
• Main Authors: Long, Bin, Liu, Yang, Chen, Senlin, Yang, Yiwu, Tang, Suna, Yang, Jimei, Wang, Yuhuai
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland Frontiers Media S.A 2024
• Subjects: fitness assessment; fitness promotion; physical activity; physical literacy; undergraduate students; undergraduate students; fitness promotion; physical literacy; fitness assessment; physical activity
• ISSN: 1664-1078; 1664-1078
• DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1305121

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among perceived physical literacy (PPL), knowledge of physical activity and fitness (PAF knowledge), and physical fitness. Undergraduates (  = 968, female = 414;  = 18.64) from a public university in central China completed a simplified Chinese version of the PPL instrument, an online test for PAF knowledge, and seven health-related physical fitness tests. The PPL includes three dimensions: (a) , (b) , and (c) . The fitness tests measured lung capacity, body mass index (BMI), and performances in 800 (female)/1000 (male) meters run, 50 meters dash (50 M), sit-up (female) / pull-up (male), standing long jump (SLJ), and sit-and-reach. PPL and its dimensions significantly predicted six fitness test performances both in male ( : -0.42 - 0.37;  < 0.01-0.05; : 0.01-0.13) and female ( : -0.59 - 0.49;  < 0.01-0.05; : 0.03-0.13) students. PAF knowledge ( : -0.17 - 0.18;  < 0.01-0.05; : 0.01-0.05) significantly predicted BMI (males) and performances in 50 M (females) and SLJ (females) tests. To support college students' fitness development and maintenance, tailored physical activity and fitness promotion programs are needed to strengthen students' PPL and PAF knowledge.