Physical activity and academic achievement are important and valued aspects of society. The present study investigated the relationship between involvement in competitive sport, self-efficacy beliefs and academic achievement in Seventh-day Adventist secondary school students. Within the study, competitive sport was divided into three aspects, involvement, enjoyment and success. Self-efficacy was investigated at two levels, general, and a more task specific level including academic and Personal Development & Health self-efficacy. Student self-reporting was used in measuring achievement in the subject areas of English, Mathematics and Personal Development and Health.

Data were collected from 619 students in 3 Seventh-day Adventist secondary schools using a 96-item questionnaire. Multiple linear regression analysis was employed to test proposed relationships in a theoretically constructed causal model, linking background, intermediate and outcome variables.

Aspects of competitive sport were found to have direct and indirect influences on levels of self-efficacy as well as academic and PD/H achievement. High general self-efficacy was found to significantly influence more specific levels of self-efficacy and there were strong positive paths existing from academic self-efficacy to academic achievement and PD/H self-efficacy to PD/H achievement.

Pathways within the causal model identified that students who are successful in competitive sport are more likely to achieve highly in Mathematics, English and PD/H. Students who enjoy their involvement in competitive sport exhibit high beliefs of PD/H self-efficacy and achieve highly in PD/H.