Relationship between sport type and body image of female athletes
Year: 2014
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Introduction. Research suggests that sport involvement enhances \nbody image [1]. Research also indicates that athletes involved in \ncertain sports, such as gymnastics and distance running, are \nat risk for body image disturbances [2]. Aim of the Study. The \npurpose of this research was to explore this apparent paradox, \nthat physical activity enhances body image but athletes in certain \nsports may be at risk for body image concerns. Material and \nMethods. The sport and societal attractiveness body image \nideals of female long distance runners (n = 21) and throwers \n(n = 18) were assessed via questionnaires, line drawings, and \ndigital body image software. Results. Consistent with social \ncomparison theory, long distance runners were more satisfied \nwith their bodies than were throwers when considering societal \nattractiveness ideals. Throwers, however, were more satisfied \nwith their bodies than were distance runners when considering \nsport ideals. When considering body image without regard to \nthe different body ideals, distance runners reported a more \nfavorable body image overall than did throwers. Conclusions. \nThese results suggest that complex factors affect the body image \nof women athletes. With regard to body image measurement, \ndigital body image software may be more sensitive than line \ndrawings in detecting predicted relationships.
Institutions: Springfield College, Drury University
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2145203795