Adalgisa Battistelli *, Francesco Montani *, Luciano Bertinato **, Selene Uras *** and Marco Guicciardi ****
(*) Laboratory Epsylon EA 4556 Dynamics of Human Abilities & Health Behaviors, University Paul Valéry (Montpellier III), Montpellier, France
(**) Department of Neurological and Vision Sciences, Neuropsychological, Morphological and Motor Sciences,University of Verona,Verona, Italy
(***) Center for advanced studies, research and development in Sardinia (CRS4), Science and Technology Park Polaris,Pula, Italy
(****) Department of Psychology, University of Cagliari,Cagliari, Italy
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between individual differences (self-efficacy and body image), social factors (family support) and environmental characteristics (local authorities support), and competence motives and subsequent physical exercise intentions. Participants were 1084 students (551 males, 553 females) aged between 13 and 19 (M = 15.7, SD = 1.6) from three different Secondary Schools. Structural Equation Modelling analyses confirmed the hypothesized model: family support, local authorities support, self-efficacy and body image significantly predicted competence motives, which were in turn positively associated with physical activity intentions. Furthermore, mediation analyses revealed that competence motives fully mediated the relationship between local authorities support and self-efficacy, on one hand, and exercise intentions, on the other, and partially mediated the link between family support and intentions. These findings suggest the importance of assessing the unique contributions of psychosocial variables in affecting the motivational determinants of physical activity intentions.
Keywords: Body image, Competence motives, Environment, Physical activity, Self-Efficacy
Rita Francisco *, Isabel Narciso * and Madalena Alarcão **
(*) Faculty of Psychology, University of Lisbon, Portugal
(**) Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Coimbra, Portugal
Gymnasts and ballet dancers are considered at-risk groups for developing eating disorders. However, specific variables enrolled in this risk and the relative contribution of each one remain unclear. The present study investigated correlates of disordered eating (DE) among young female and male aesthetic performers (N = 249, mean age = 15.41, SD = 2.55) and the relation between potential individual and contextual predictors of DE. Ballet dancers (n = 113; 88.5% female) and gymnasts (n = 136; 75% female) from elite and non-elite levels completed questionnaires measuring DE, body image dissatisfaction (general and activity-specific), self-esteem, pressure to be thin and social support in their dance schools and gymnastics clubs. Differences between males and females (elite and non-elite) were analyzed among ballet dancers and gymnasts. A usefulness analysis showed that dissatisfaction with body image specific to the practice of a particular aesthetic activity is the best predictor of DE compared to dissatisfaction with body image in general, especially in dancers. In addition to self-esteem and activity-specific body image dissatisfaction, hierarchical regression analysis showed that the pressure to be thin was more important than the competitive level for understanding aesthetic performers’ DE. Social support was not predictive of DE. Structural equation modeling confirmed that self-esteem and body image dissatisfaction partially mediate the influence of pressure to be thin on DE. Some clues to possible systemic actions for preventing DE in gymnastics clubs and dance schools, which should include both aesthetic performers and coaches/teachers, are discussed.
Keywords: Ballet dancers, Body Image Dissatisfaction, Disordered Eating, Gymnasts, Pressure to be thin, Self-esteem, Social support
Cynthia J. Thomson *, Katie L.morton **, Scott R. Carlson *** and Jim L. Rupert *
(*) School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
(**) Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, UK
(***) Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, Minnesota, U.S.A.
The Contextual Sensation Seeking Questionnaire (CSSQ-S) was developed to measure patterns of sensation-seeking behaviours in skiing and snowboarding. We conducted three studies supporting several aspects of its validity. First, using a focus group (n = 4) we generated items representative of sensation seeking in skiing and explored the factor structure in a sample of skiers (n1 = 220). Second, we confirmed the factor structure using data from an independent cohort (n2 = 530). Finally, we provide evidence for criterion-relevance and applied utility of CSSQ-S scores by demonstrating positive relationships between scores and self-reported injury. CSSQ-S scores explained greater variance (n1 = 217, β = .358, p < .001) in injury prevalence than an established assessment tool (Zuckerman’s Impulsive-Sensation Seeking scale). In summary, the CSSQ-S represents a psychometrically promising measure of contextual sensation seeking and may be used to explore factors associated with risk-taking in skiing and snowboarding.
Keywords: Construct Validity, ImpSS, Risky behaviour, Sport injury
Neleschlapkohl *, Tanja Hohmann **/*** and Markus Raab **
(*) University of Flensburg, Germany
(**) German Sport University Cologne, Germany
(***) University of Stuttgart, Germany
In three studies we explored the question of whether analogy and rule-based instructions have different effects on performance and movement patterns in novices and experts. In Study 1 novices learned the table tennis topspin forehand in a rule-based, analogy, or control group. After acquisition, hitting performance was equal for all groups in a retention test. However, the analogy group showed superior performance in additional transfer and decision tests compared to both other groups. In Study 2 novices received decision training already in the acquisition phase. The analogy group showed a better hitting performance, compared to the rule-based and the control group, as early as during acquisition. In Study 3 junior national table tennis players were examined. After the acquisition phase, the rulebased group showed a significantly better hitting performance than the analogy group. Additionally, we found that different types of instructions produced changes not only in outcome variables, but also in arm–bat direction. These findings extend the literature by accentuating the role of implicit learning for novices and explicit learning for experts and show how instructions modulate movement patterns.
Keywords: Decision making, Kinematic analysis
Lorna J. Dodd *, Mark J. Forshaw ** and Tony Ward ***
(*) Department of Psychology & Counselling, Newman University College, Birmingham, UK
(**) Centre for Health Psychology, Staffordshire University, Stoke-on-Trent, UK
(***) Psychology Department, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK
The health and psychological benefits to be gained from a physically active lifestyle are well documented. Despite this a substantial proportion of young adults do not engage in recommended frequency levels or duration of physical activity (PA) to procure these benefits. Only 13-32% of university students worldwide meet the recommended guidelines for PA. The present study employed a prospective questionnaire design to assess the predictive utility of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) in explaining PA intention and behaviour in male (N=76) and female (N=75) students aged between 18-28 (male mean age 21.08 ± 2.48 years & female mean age 21.78 ± 2.54) years. The sample completed a baseline TPB questionnaire and a follow-up PA behaviour measure. Findings supported the utility of the TPB in predicting PA intention and behaviour, though the relative contribution of the models, and the strength of association between the TPB constructs varied depending on gender. The findings have a practical and theoretical significance, as PA programmes for students tailored to gender may be warranted.
Keywords: Gender-specific, Physical activity, Physical education, Students’ health, Theory of planned behaviour