Body Image in Team Sports and Fitness Activities

INTRODUCTION: Body image (BI) is a multidimensional construct encompassing how subjects perceive, feel, think and behave in relation to their own bodies. Negative BI is a predictor of health-related issues, including depression, anxiety and eating disorders. Considering the positive effects of physical activity (PA) and sports on health, this study aims to assess the influence of team sports (TS) and fitness activities (FA) on BI. METHODS: Sixty-eight adults (age:28.7±10.3yrs) were divided into two groups: TS Group (TSG=34), such as football and volleyball players, and FA Group (FAG=34), such as cross training and weight training participants. To assess the subjective and emotional dimensions of BI, participants completed the BI Dimensional Assessment (BIDA) questionnaire. Using a neutral silhouette-based scale ranging from 1.8 to 5.2, participants indicated their perceived and ideal body shape, as well as the body shape most appreciated by the opposite sex and their peers. Three direct indexes were calculated: Body Dissatisfaction (BD), Sexual Body Dissatisfaction (SxBD), and Comparative Body Dissatisfaction (CBD). Scores ranged from −100% to 100%, with positive values indicating that subjects rated their BI higher than their idealized levels. The Body Dis-satisfaction Index (BDI) was calculated as the mean of the absolute values of BD, SxBD and CBD. The BDI ranged from 0 to 100%, with scores >30% considered at risk of BI disorders. To determine differences (p<0.05) in BD, SxBD, CBD and BDI between TSG and FAG, unpaired t-tests were conducted. RESULTS: TSG showed significant (p<0.05) lower values for BD (5.7±10.2%), SxBD (-0.2±15%) and BDI (9.6±5.8%) compared to FAG (BD: 13.5±16.8%; SxBD: 11.1±20.6%; BDI: 18.4±11.9%). While for CBD no significant difference (p>0.05) was found between groups (TSG: -6.4±11.7%; FAG:-1.5±28.2%). CONCLUSION: The findings highlight the significant effect of sports participation on body perception. Although neither group exhibited a risk of BI disorders (BDI <30%), highlighting the mental health benefits of PA regardless of its type, TSG reported a better perception of their BI compared to the FAG. BD and SxBD scores were higher in FAG than TSG, suggesting that athletes perceived body shape closely aligns with their ideal and the body shape appreciated by the opposite sex. These results might be attributed to differences in exercise prescription between the two groups. In fact, considering the competitive nature of sports, TSG could have a more rigorous exercise program monitoring than FAG, potentially leading to a physique that aligns with the aesthetic ideal of health and attractiveness. Therefore, controlling and monitoring for exercise frequency, duration, intensity, and type, might be associated with improved BI.