Relations among exercise type, self-objectification, and body image in the fitness centre environmen.pdfVIP

ARTICLE IN PRESS Psychology of Sport and Exercise 9 (2008) 855–866 /locate/psychsport Relations among exercise type, self-objectification, and body image in the fitness centre environment: The role of reasons for exercise Ivanka Prichard, Marika Tiggemann School of Psychology, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia Received 13 March 2007; received in revised form 16 October 2007; accepted 17 October 2007 Available online 28 January 2008 Abstract Objective: The study aimed to investigate different types of exercise, the role of exercise motivation and body image outcomes within the fitness centre environment. Design and method: Participants were 571 female fitness class participants recruited from fitness centres. They ranged in age from 18 to 71 years and participated in a variety of fitness activities both within and outside of the fitness centre environment. Reasons for exercise, self-objectification, body esteem, and disordered eating symptomatology were assessed using questionnaire measures. Results: Time spent exercising within the fitness centre environment was more highly related to body image and eating disturbance than time spent exercising outside of the fitness centre environment. Participation in cardio-based workouts (e.g., cardiovascular machines) was positively related to self-objectification, disordered eating behaviour, and appearance- related reasons for exercise, and negatively related to body esteem. In contrast, participation in yoga-based fitness classes was related to lower