Body Image of Highly Trained Female Athletes Engaged in Different Types of Sport

The aim of the study was to evaluate differences in body image across different types of sports in highly trained female athletes.

242 female individuals, aged 13-30 years (M = 20.0, SD = 4.5), representing aesthetic sports (n = 56) and nonaesthetic sports (n = 186), were recruited from different sports clubs in Poland. Body image, BMI, age, the level of competition attained, and the training background of participants were recorded.

One-way ANOVA showed differences in the body image of athletes engaged in different types of sport (F(11,230) = 4.10, p < 0.001, and η² = 0.16). The model predicting the body image of female athletes was significant (F(5,236) = 10.40, p < 0.001); the adjusted R² = 0.163. Type of sport explained 7.1% (β = -0.263, p < 0.001), age explained 4.5% (β = 0.341, p < 0.001), BMI explained 3.6% (β = -0.230, p < 0.001), and level of competition explained 0.9% (β = 0.153, p < 0.05) of variance in body image.

The findings provide vital new knowledge which can be used by researchers and practitioners in designing educational programs on weight-related behaviors in female athletes. Such programs should be implemented especially in young female athletes participating in high-level sporting activities at an early stage.