Skip to main content
Article
Perceived fitness predicts daily coping better than physical activity
Psychology
  • Thomas G. Plante, Santa Clara University
  • Sara E. LeCaptain
  • Heather C. McLain
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2000
Publisher
Wiley
Abstract

One hundred sixty-six participants (70 males, 96 females) completed a series of questionnaires measuring perceived fitness, social desirability, self-esteem, hope, and perceived stress levels and coping abilities. Participants were then given an activity monitoring device to wear for 1 week. Participants recorded daily measures of physical activity, perceived fitness, and perceived stress and coping over 7 days. Results revealed that although perceived physical fitness was reliably associated with coping, actual physical activity was not. These associations remained even after statistically controlling for gender, social desirability, self-esteem, hope, perceived stress, and anxiety. Findings suggest that perceived physical fitness may be a better predictor of daily coping than actual physical activity.

Citation Information
Plante, T. G., LeCaptain, S., & McLain, H. (2000). Perceived fitness predicts daily coping better than physical activity. Journal of Applied Biobehavioral Research, 5, 66-79.