Juan Gregorio Fernández-Bustos *, Irene González-Martí *, Onofre Ricardo Contreras Jordán *, Anthony Papathomas ** and Ricardo Cuevas Campos ***
(*) University of Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain
(**) Loughborough University School of Sport, Exercise and Sport Sciences, Loughbourough, UK
(***) University of Castilla-La Mancha, Ciudad Real, Spain
Citation
Gregorio Fernández-Bustos, J., González-Martí, I., Ricardo Contreras Jordán, O., Papathomas, A., Cuevas Campos, R. (2016). Understanding the relationship between physical activity and physical self-perception in adolescent females: The role of body image. International Journal of Sport Psychology, 47(4), 373-388. doi:10.7352/IJSP.2016.47.373
Abstract
The aim of this study was to explore the role of body image concern in the relationship between physical activity and physical self-concept. A total of 441 Spanish adolescent college females aged 12 to 17 completed the Physical Self-Con- cept Questionnaire (CAF), the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) and Gardner s Scale for the Assessment of Body Image. Data on body mass index (BMI) and par- ticipation in physical activity were also collected. The results showed a positive rela- tionship between physical activity and physical self-concept with all its subdimen- sions, as well as general self-concept. This relationship was notably higher in the absence of body image concern. However, no relationship was found between exer- cise and the subdimension of body attractiveness in the case of adolescents who were dissatisfied with their bodies. This emphasizes the importance of a healthy body image in shaping an adolescent female’s self-concept.
Keywords: Adolescence, Body Image, Female, Physical activity, Physical selfconcept