Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 24, 2026
06:48
Clinical Anthropometrics and Body Composition from 3-Dimensional Optical Imaging
Published on: June 7, 2024
Women's body image across resistance training modalities: A multidimensional mixed methods study.
Maryam Marashi1, Catherine M Sabiston1, Erin K O'Loughlin2
1Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, Canada.
Psychology of Sport and Exercise
|May 22, 2026
Summary
Resistance training (RT) improves women's body image, regardless of the specific modality. While some groups reported more negative experiences, RT generally fosters body appreciation and confidence.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sports Science
- Women's Health
Background:
- Resistance training (RT) is known for psychological benefits, including enhanced body image.
- Diverse RT modalities exist, emphasizing aesthetics, performance, or health, but their impact on women's body image is understudied.
- Understanding how different RT styles influence body image is crucial for promoting positive psychological outcomes in women.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine women's body image experiences across four distinct resistance training modalities: Bodybuilding, CrossFit, Strength Sports, and General Health.
- To investigate potential differences in positive and negative body image perceptions among women engaging in various RT styles.
- To explore the multifaceted dimensions (perceptual, cognitive, emotional, behavioral) of body image within different RT contexts.
Main Methods:
- Convergent mixed methods design utilized with 153 women (ages 18-40) possessing at least six months of RT experience.
- Quantitative measures assessed positive (e.g., body appreciation) and negative (e.g., shame) body image.
- Qualitative data gathered through open-ended questions, analyzed using descriptive content analysis; quantitative data analyzed with ANOVAs and Chi-square tests.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences in body image were found between RT modalities after correcting for multiple comparisons.
- Effect size estimates suggested participants in Strength Sports reported more negative body image experiences compared to other groups.
- Qualitative findings indicated RT promotes functionality appreciation, empowerment, and confidence, but also presents challenges like appearance pressures and social comparison.
Conclusions:
- Resistance training can positively influence women's body image by fostering functionality appreciation and empowerment.
- Despite potential challenges like appearance pressures, RT appears beneficial for body image development across various modalities.
- Future research should explore nuanced differences and interventions to maximize positive body image outcomes in diverse RT settings.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Exercise and Muscle Performance
Exercise induces a range of adaptations in muscle tissue, depending on the type and duration of activity. Such physical training can be broadly categorized into two types: endurance exercises and resistance exercises.
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...
01:18Sources of Self-Esteem I: Family Experience
Self-esteem, a crucial component of psychological development, is significantly shaped by familial experiences. The early parent-child relationship serves as a foundational influence on a child's self-concept, with long-lasting effects extending into adolescence and adulthood.Parental Behaviors and Early Self-Esteem FormationEmpirical studies have identified four principal parental behaviors that foster healthy self-esteem in children. These include expressions of acceptance, affection, and...