Effects of a physical exercise session on state body image: The influence of pre-experimental body dissatisfaction and concerns about weight and shape

Authors: Vocks, S.¹; Hechler, T.²; Rohrig, S.¹; Legenbauer, T.³

Source: Psychology and Health, Volume 24, Number 6, July 2009 , pp. 713-728(16)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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Abstract:

The effects of a physical exercise session on state body image and mood were examined. In a cross-over design, participants were randomised to two groups starting either with physical exercise (PE; experimental condition) or with reading a newspaper (RN; control condition). Before and after PE and RN, participants (N = 65) rated their body dimensions using a digital photo distortion technique and indicated their attitudinal body image and mood. Participants' judgements of their 'felt' body dimensions and attitudes toward their own body were affected differently by PE and RN, indicating that participants felt slightly slimmer and were more satisfied with their bodies after PE. Exercise-induced changes in body perception were greater, the higher the pre-experimental drive for thinness, body dissatisfaction and weight/shape concerns were. Especially in those participants with higher body image disturbances, physical exercise can have a reinforcing effect on immediate body image and mood improvement.

Keywords: body image; body dissatisfaction; mood; physical exercise

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08870440801998988

Affiliations: 1: Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Bochum, 44780 Germany 2: Clinic for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Aachen, 52074 Germany 3: Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Mainz, 55099 Germany

Publication date: 2009-07-01