Narcissism and physical self-efficacy and exercise commitment were investigated in 'addicted' and 'non-addicted' runners (n = 112) and aerobics exercisers (n = 57) and compared to a control group of non-exercisers (n = 42). Runners and aerobics exercisers were assigned to an 'addicted' or 'non-addicted' group using Hailey and Bailey's (1982) Negative Addiction Scale. All subjects completed biographical questionnaires, the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) and the Physical Self-Efficacy Scale (PSE). Although both narcissism and physical self-efficacy were found to play a significant role in exercise adoption, narciss\ism was the only significant variable when comparing 'addicted' and 'non-addicted' exercisers. Differences between the runners and aerobics exercisers were found with the aerobics exercisers exhibiting higher narcissistic tendencies than the runners. The runners were assigned to one of four quadrants based on their level of commitment and addiction to running and the Perceived Physical Ability subscale of the PSE and the Self-Sufficiency subscale of the NPI produced significant differences between the four quadrants. Taken together, the results suggest that addicted exercisers have the tendency to exhibit narcissistic traits, however the interaction with physical self-efficacy is equivocal. The findings are discussed with reference to relevant personality theory and implications for future research in this area. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1997.

Darbo objektas: Valgymo sutrikimų rizikos paplitimas. Tyrimo problema: Valgymo sutrikimų rizikos paplitimas tarp sportuojančių ir nesportuojančių moterų ir jį lemiantys veiksniai. Yra tyrimų, rodančių, kad profesionaliai sportuojančios moterys susiduria su didesne valgymo sutrikimų rizika. Tyrimų tarp laisvalaikiu sportuojančių moterų yra atlikta mažiau. Todėl savo darbe siekėme patvirtinti, ar profesionaliame sporte randamos tendencijos reiškiasi ir tarp laisvalaikiu sportuojančių moterų. Savo tyrime analizavome 247 anketas (73 nesportuojančių ir 174 sportuojančių moterų). Anketą sudarė 47 klausimai, kurie buvo suskirstyti į demografinių veiksnių bloką, požiūrio į savo išvaizd����� ir kūno svorį bloką, valgymo sutrikimų rizikos nustatymo klausimų bloką, psichoemocinės būklės bloką ir klausimų, susijusiu su sportavimu ir jo motyvacija bloką. Tikslas- nustatyti valgymo sutrikimų rizikos paplitimą tarp laisvalaikiu sportuojančių ir nesportuojančių moterų ir išanalizuoti jį lemiančius veiksnius. Uždaviniai: 1. Nustatyti valgymo sutrikimų rizikos paplitimą tarp laisvalaikiu sportuojančių ir nesportuojančių moterų bei nustatyti demografinių veiksnių sąsajas su valgymo sutrikimų paplitimu. 2. Išanalizuoti socialinių santykių ir psichoemocinių veiksnių sąsajas su valgymo sutrikimų rizika. 3. Nustatyti su sportavimu susijusių veiksnių sąsajas su valgymo sutrikimų rizika. Tiriamieji klausimai: Ar sportuojančios moterys yra labiau linkusios į valgymo sutrikimų riziką ir kokie... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Objectives of work: the risks of eating disorders. Problem of research: the spread of eating disorders along with physically active and non active women and the factors that determine the spread. Aim of the work: to investigate the occurrence of eating disorders risk among physically active and non active women and to analyze predictors of eating disorder risk. Tasks: 1. To conclude the connection between demographical factors and risk of eating disorder. To determine the occurrence of eating disorders risk in physically active and non active women. 2. To analyze the connection of social relations and psycho emotional factors with occurrence of eating disorder risk. 3. To determine the connection between physical activity and eating disorder risk occurrence. Questions of research: is eating disorder risk higher among physically active women and what factors are related with the risk of eating disorders along with physically active and non active women. Conclusions: 1. The occurrence of eating disorders risk is higher among leisure sport involved women to compare noninvolved (p>0,05). Eating disorder risk is higher among young, single and poor educated women (p>0,05). 2. Women of lower self-esteem and unhappy are at higher risk of eating disorders (p<0,05). Family and friends teasing is not related with higher risks of eating disorders (p>0,05). Women with suicidal thoughts are at higher risk of eating disorder (p<0,05). 3. Women involved in leisure... [to full text]

Hälsa är viktigt för många människor och uppnås vanligen genom regelbunden träning och en bra kost. Men för vissa kan det gå över styr och istället för att uppnå en god psykisk och fysisk hälsa finns det dem som drabbas av ätstörningen ortorexi. Syftet med denna undersökningen var att se om det fanns någon skillnad mellan män och kvinnors risk att drabbas av ortorexi samt om olika relationsstatus och social umgängeskrets med olika högt hälso- och träningsrelaterande intresse och beteende kan öka risken att drabbas av ortorexi. Åttiotvå deltagare svarade på en enkät som bestod av Doninins ORTO-15 samt egenkonstruerade frågor. Resultatet visade att det inte fanns någon signifikant skillnad mellan könen gällande att visa tecken på ortorexi men att relationsstatus och att den sociala umgängeskretsen med högt hälso- och träningsrelaterande intresse och beteende hade en betydelse för risk att drabbas av ortorexi. Varför det inte fanns någon skillnad mellan könen kan tänkas bero på att träning och hälsa vänder sig till alla människor oavsett kön och därav påverkas både män och kvinnor lika mycket.

A survey research design was employed to explore the relationship between negative addiction to running and running commitment, through the construct of running enjoyment, amongst black, Zulu-speaking runners. Translated versions of the Biographical Information Questionnaire (Leask, 1997), Negative Addiction Scale (Hailey & Bailey, 1982), and Running Enjoyment Questionnaire (Basson & Macpherson, 1998) were administered to an opportunity sample of 79 Zulu-speaking runners, drawn from athletic clubs in the Durban and Pietermaritzburg regions of KwaZulu-Natal. On the basis of their negative addiction scale scores, runners were assigned to either a high (n = 23), moderate (n= 35), or low addiction group (n= 21). Multiple correlation analyses, parametric and nonparametric analysis of variance procedures, factor . analyses, and multiple regression procedures were used to examine the relationship between running dependence, the four sources of running enjoyment, and demographic variables. Significant relationships were found between running dependence and all four sources of running enjoyment. Further, the length of running history , the importance given to running by the participant, perceived fitness levels, and the number of Comrades marathons run were shown to play a role in both running dependence and commitment processes. For Zulu-speaking runners, both intrinsic and achievement running enjoyment sources were found to be more motivating than either extrinsic or nonachievement factors. Extrinsic and achievement factors were found to be more motivating for Zulu-speaking runners compared to Macpherson's (1998) sample of white runners. These results were discussed with reference to the literature on running dependence, running commitment, and cultural influences on motivation. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2000.

Exercise is an important part of well-being. However, when performed excessively, it can lead to negative consequences such as anxiety, depression and feelings of guilt. This study aimed to qualitatively investigate what motivational regulations, defined by the Self-determination theory, that may provide an insight into why young women engage in excessive exercise. Data from seven participants was analyzed through a thematic analysis and resulted in four themes: Exercise affected by social influence, Ambivalence toward the amount of exercise, Benefits of exercise and Exercise affecting the sense of self. All of the motivational regulations belonged to the extrinsic type of motivation, ranging from external to integrated regulation, with social influence and health benefits being the most frequently mentioned reasons for exercise. Also, the informants were able to explain why they exercise, but less so in regard to the amount of exercise. / Träning är en förutsättning för välbefinnande. När träning utförs i en överdriven mängd kan det dock leda till negativa konsekvenser som ångest, depression och skuldkänslor. Syftet med denna studie var att kvalitativt undersöka vilka motivationsregleringar definierade av Självbestämmande teori som kan ge en inblick i varför unga kvinnor tränar i en överdriven omfattning. Materialet från sju deltagare analyserades genom en tematisk analys och resulterade i fyra teman: Social påverkan på träning, Ambivalens till träningsmängden, Fördelar med träning och Träning påverkar uppfattningen om sig själv. Alla motivationsregleringar tillhörde den yttre typen av motivation och sträckte sig från extern till integrerad reglering, där social påverkan och hälsofördelar var de mest frekvent nämnda anledningarna till träning. Informanterna kunde ge en förklaring till varför de tränar, men inte avseende deras träningsmängd.

The subject of this study is the recognition of the link between service in the Police of the Czech Republic (PCR) and abuse of substances for supporting muscle growth and anabolic steroids. The service of PCR officer is often been connected to physical strenght and psychical resistence, which is given by training, personality and self-confidence of the officer. Masculinity and muscular body is seen by some officers as essential for this job and the standard there is shifted when compared to the other people. Anabolic Steroids - substances accesible on the illicit market - can be abused for fast muscle growth and outreaching the limits of ordinary man. The first part of this study is theoretical part, in which the aspects of police service are described, as they are risk factors for development of exercise addiction and abuse of substances for supporting muscle growth. The second part is practical part, where the research is described among the PCR officers, who are exercising regularly and are ranked in the Public Order Police Service. This research is searching for similarities between usage of supplements and Anabolic Steroids and subjectively viewed professional requirements. Also the amount of subjectively seen medical problems was compared between group of steroid-using officers and those...