Einleitung

A considerable amount of research has been conducted which has focussed on the self-perceptions of children and its influence on their participation levels within the school PE environment. Findings suggest that children's accuracy of evaluating their own competence increases with age and also that boys tend to have significantly higher perceived athletic competence scores in comparison to girls. A minority of children display low participation levels in school Physical Education (PE) and therefore do not fully develop the possible beneficial qualities such as self-confidence, self esteem, discipline, sportsmanship as well as many health related benefits. A child's physical fitness is greatly influenced by both hereditary and behavioural patterns and although a child's genes cannot be easily altered it is possible that through education and training their personal behaviour can. It is thought that possessing positive feelings of self worth is not only an indication of mental well-being but also a mediator of behaviour. Through observation and evaluation it appears that a number of comprehensive school children desperately search in need for conceivable excuses to avoid participation in Physical Education, which is often taken to extremes for example resulting in truancy. Although sports psychologists have considerable knowledge of children's self-esteem, little research has involved the influence of self-perceptions on state anxiety levels in children. This investigation examines the effect that children's self perceptions have on their state anxiety levels prior to participating in a typical school PE lesson. It was hypothesised that children with low physical self-perception would demonstrate higher lievels of state anxiety. The implications of this study are to increase the knowledge of teachers to assist in the development and improvement of PE lessons. This would accommodate the children's more essential needs, and therefore create sessions which are more relaxed and enjoyable, consequently eliminating any elements of anxiety and furthermore increasing motivation and participation of children within the school PE enviroment. Einleitung