The term "good motor skill" is often discussed in everyday contexts and when observing sports; however, its definition remains elusive, and the associated factors are not well understood. Therefore, in this cross-sectional study, we investigated the determinants of subjective total athletic ability, defined as the sum of subjective athletic abilities across 11 sports disciplines. A sample of 406 undergraduate students completed a questionnaire to evaluate their perceived athletic prowess in various sports, as well as assessments of their personality traits, family background, and sports performance. The analysis revealed correlations between the perceived general athletic ability and specific abilities in soccer, volleyball, basketball, and short-distance racing. Furthermore, linear model analyses indicated a positive association between perceived total athletic ability and personal characteristics such as grit, resilience, and a growth mindset. Factors such as recreational activities in elementary school, sibling structure, prior athletic experience, parental athletic ability, family income, external evaluations of motor skills, and age at first walking also appeared to influence perceived total athletic ability. These results imply that a blend of internal and external factors may shape subjective athletic ability. However, future studies should investigate the causal connections among these factors to deepen our understanding of the concept and its influencers.
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