Article
The role of the sport in the difference in verbal and psychophysiological responses in the body image perception
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Authors
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Fabiana Pomin
- Universidad de La Coruña, La Coruña, Spain
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Maria Milagro Ezquerro
- Universidad de La Coruña, La Coruña, Spain
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Itziar de Ozámiz
- Universidad de La Coruña, La Coruña, Spain
| Published: | October 24, 2011 |
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Outline
Text
Objective: To examine differences in the body image perception and cardiovascular and electrodermal reactivity in men and women (n=119, age: 21.89, SD=2.13 years old) depending on the sport.
Material/Methods: The sample was divided into three groups: control (subjects who do not practice physical activity or sports) (n=27), subjects engaged in sport and physical activity (n=59), and athletes (amateur and professional) (n=33). All groups completed two tasks assessing self-perception of body image: silhouettes and photographs scales (electrodermal conductance and heart rate were monitored continuously).
Results: The distortion/satisfaction of individuals of different groups did not differ with the scale of silhouettes, but on the scale that offers the photograph of the participant, the differences indicated that the control group is quite wider than you would like, compared to the group of athletes. This suggests that both, men and women who play sports, are satisfied with their body image and have greater accuracy in recognizing their own image than those who do not play sports. However, all groups of women want a thinner image to feel attractive, and men, a more muscular, although this difference is less pronounced in the groups that practice sports or physical activity. No differences in psychophysiological variables.
Conclusion: Subjects with dedication to the practice of physical exercise and sports show greater satisfaction with their body image, and have developed their sense of attractiveness.
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