Competition athletic apparel plays a large role in the world of NCAA Division I college athletics. New and innovative designs, styles, and fashions are continually introduced by athletic apparel manufacturers as they attempt to find the latest and greatest uniforms, footwear and protective equipment. Still, little research exists on the impact that athletic apparel has on college athletes. What does an athlete feel as they don their competition athletic apparel to compete at this top level of collegiate sport? The purpose of this study was to examine student-athlete experiences with competition athletic apparel in relation to self-perception. Did the apparel worn in competition by student-athlete's play a role on their mental state as they entered competition? Sixteen participants from a large NCAA Division I athletic program participated in this study during the spring semester of 2011. A stratified sample of eight female student-athletes and eight male student-athletes was used. The participants were drawn from the sports of Men's Soccer, Women's Soccer, Men's Basketball, and Women's Basketball. Participants completed face to face interviews that employed a semi-structured approach. Interview questions addressed aspects of the Functional, Aesthetic, Expressive (FEA) consumer needs model as well as Self-Perception Theory. All interviews used a grounded theory approach to foster the emergence of data as interviews progressed. Data was analyzed using qualitative methods that stressed the importance of true lived experience. The results of the study revealed that student-athlete self-perception was indeed impacted by various aspects of competition athletic apparel. Each participant revealed one or more concerns about their competition apparel in relation to the different categories of the FEA. Further, many of these concerns followed important aspects of Self-Perception Theory. The results of this study further revealed that coaches, athletes, and competition apparel manufactures would benefit from understanding the impact that competition apparel has on athlete self-perception. Results showed that athletes wanted competition apparel that looked good, felt good, and fit properly. / Ph. D.

Substantial research on the functionality of athletic apparel has been conducted; however little consideration has been given to the plus size figure. Societal messages suggest that overweight women are lazy and therefore would not be interested in athletic apparel. The purpose of this study was to determine overweight adult women's experience with athletic clothing. The sample consisted of 14 women, ages 30 to 65 who wore size 1X to 3X. They were each supplied with a Nike brand athletic outfit and participated in two in depth interviews. Data collection methods included qualitative interviews, quantitative surveys and guided journaling. The major findings suggest that overweight women have difficulty shopping for clothing. Difficulty and frustration was experienced on a number of levels including; limited stores, limited selection and styles, fitting issues, over-priced items and less color options compared to smaller sizes. The findings suggest overweight women experience emotional anxiety when trying on clothing for the first time. Dissatisfaction with clothing fit was attributed to the belief their body is unsuitable and needs to change. Satisfaction with clothing fit was attributed to the ability of the apparel designer. Many negative experiences have left this sample feeling disappointed and marginalized. Some participant's experienced increased desire to participate in physical activity while others felt exercise was a necessity regardless of the clothing available. By trying on the Nike brand clothing, it gave the women in this study an alternative way of dressing themselves which has enabled several women to feel differently about their size and their body in athletic clothing. The current sample showed behaviors of internalization by using dehumanizing terms to describe body parts. The sample felt discriminated against in the media and wanted to see larger women modeling clothing. Apparel companies should include a wider variety of sizes in their brick and mortar stores as to not alienate a population. Apparel companies should incorporate diverse models into advertisement to include the plus-size population. Proving high quality athletic apparel to plus size women provided an opportunity for them to experience their bodies in a new perspective. Future studies should develop new pattern making, grading and sizing techniques in order to provide better fitting athletic apparel for large size bodies. Studies expanding on fit and comfort of athletic apparel for large bodies should be explored. This paper provides an initial indication of how plus size women experience athletic apparel. Further understanding of clothing, fit and exercise behavior are needed. / Graduation date: 2013 / Access restricted to the OSU Community at author's request from July 18, 2012 - January 18, 2013