Effects of a 6-week aerobic dance intervention on body image and physical self-perceptions in adolescent girls.
Research examining the impact of physical activity on body image dissatisfaction and physical self-perceptions has been both limited and equivocal. The current research investigated the effects of 6-week aerobic dance on these variables with 50 British schoolgirls aged 13-14 years. A cross-over design was used with two equivalent groups taught normal physical education and aerobic dance in a different order. The Body Attitude Questionnaire (BAQ) and Children and Youth Physical Self-Perception Profile (CY-PSPP) were administered as pre, mid and post-test to each participant in each group before the first intervention, at the change over and after 12 weeks. The results of this study revealed that participation in 6 weeks of aerobic dance significantly reduced body image dissatisfaction (Attractiveness, Feeling Fat, Salience and Strength and Fitness) and enhanced physical self-perceptions (Body Attractiveness and Physical Self-Worth), although these improvements were not sustained. The implications and future research directions are discussed.
Burgess
Gillian
G
Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester Institute of Sport and Physical Activity, Room 310 All Saints Building, All Saints, Manchester M15 6BH, UK. g.r.burgess@mmu.ac.uk
Grogan
Sarah
S
Burwitz
Les
L