Exercise and self-esteem in menopausal women: a randomized controlled trial involving walking and yoga.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects of walking and yoga on multidimensional self-esteem and roles played by self-efficacy, body composition, and physical activity (PA) in changes in esteem.


METHODS
Four-month randomized controlled exercise trial with three arms: walking, yoga, and control.


METHODS
Previously low-active middle-aged women (n=164; M age = 49.9; SD = 3.6).


METHODS
Structured and supervised walking program meeting three times per week for I hour and supervised yoga program meeting twice per week for 90 minutes.


METHODS
Body composition, fitness assessment, and battery of psychologic measures.


METHODS
Panel analysis within a structural equation modeling framework using Mplus 3.0.


RESULTS
The walking and yoga interventions failed to enhance global or physical self-esteem but improved subdomain esteem relative to physical condition and strength (for walking) and body attractiveness (for both walking and yoga). Over time the effects of PA, self-efficacy, and body fat on changes in physical self-esteem and global esteem were mediated by changes in physical condition and body attractiveness subdomain esteem. Women reporting greater levels of self-efficacy and PA with lower body fat also reported greater enhancements in subdomain esteem.


CONCLUSIONS
These results provide support for the hierarchic and multidimensional nature of self-esteem and indicate that middle-aged women may enhance certain aspects of physical self-esteem by participating in PA.
Elavsky
Steriani
S
Department of Kinesiology, Pennsylvania State University, 268-B Recreation Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA. sxe16@psu.edu
McAuley
Edward
E
D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011594:Psychometrics; D012649:Self Concept; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015013:Yoga / Q000523:psychology*