Aerobic exercise positively influences the reduction of body dissatisfaction and concerns about muscularity in women
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v67.107888Keywords:
Aerobic exercise, body dissatisfaction, body image, body perception, physical exerciseAbstract
Introduction: Body image is a multidimensional concept developed from physiological, sociological and libidinal aspects that can be influenced by cultural and environmental aspects. Studies have sought to identify the effects of some strategies capable of positively modulating aspects of body image, such as dissatisfaction and concern with muscularity.
Objective: To evaluate the effects of a session of aerobic exercise at different intensities on body image components in women.
Methodology: Fifty-one insufficiently active young adult women were randomly assigned to: a) 30 minutes of aerobic exercise at 60-70% of heart rate reserve (HRRes) or b) 70-80% of HRRes. Validated measures were used to assess body dissatisfaction, concern with muscularity, body checking and avoidance, internalization of the body ideal, and body image perception at five time points: pre-exercise, post-exercise, 24, 48, and 72 hours post-exercise.
Results: The main results showed a significant interaction effect between the protocol (60-70% or 70-80% of HRRes) and measurement moments for body dissatisfaction, indicating a reduction in the levels of body dissatisfaction in the post-period in relation to the pre-period, and a measurement moment effect on concern with muscularity, with the average observed at the 48h moment lower when compared to the pre-periods, showing that there was a decrease in concern with muscularity in women 48h after exercise.
Conclusions: It is concluded that aerobic exercise positively influences the reduction of body dissatisfaction and concern about muscularity in women.
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