title: The effects of idealized fitness images on anxiety, depression and global mood states in college age males and females.
abstract: The primary purpose of this investigation was to quantify the effects of fitness media exposure on psychological affect utilizing the Solomon 4-group design. Volunteers were counterbalanced and randomly assigned to 30 minutes of viewing either a fitness or control magazine. State anxiety (STAI), tension, depression, anger vigor, fatigue, confusion, and global mood (POMS) were measured. Results indicate that pre-test sensitization was not a significant factor when testing the psychological factors in this investigation. Additionally, the outcomes associated with viewing ultra-fit images in popular media are not a benign experience and merit further examination.
authors.affiliation: University of Wisconsin, Whitewater, WI, USA. garvina@uww.edu
authors.forename: Ann Wertz
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Garvin
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Damson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D001007:Anxiety; D003863:Depression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008402:Mass Media; D015146:Midwestern United States; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000523:psychology*; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires