Physical activity has multiple health benefits, however, physical activity can also lead to the development of excessive exercise, disturbed eating patterns, negative body image and social physique anxiety. This study investigated the relationship between social physique anxiety (SPA), physical activity type, frequency of physical activity, and motives to exercise. Participants were female undergraduates (N=108) enrolled at the University of Victoria. Female students were recruited from Exercise, Physical and Health Education classes that were open to all students from different faculties. A cross-sectional survey assessed social physique anxiety, frequency of physical activity and motives for exercise as well as dividing students according to physical activity type (Varsity, Intramural, High Strenuous Exerciser, Low Strenuous Exerciser). An analysis of variance revealed no association between SPA and physical activity type. Additionally, correlations showed that SPA and frequency of physical activity was not significant. Interestingly, SPA was significant for all motives that include Interest (r=-.371, p<.01), Competence (r=-.330, p<.01), Appearance (r=.430), Fitness (r=-.215, p<.05), and Social (r=-.406, p<.01). A linear regression revealed that only Appearance and Social motives predicted SPA. / Graduate / 0573 / 0347 / 0566 / fawniar@uvic.ca

Physical activity has multiple health benefits, however, physical activity can also lead to the development of excessive exercise, disturbed eating patterns, negative body image and social physique anxiety. This study investigated the relationship between social physique anxiety (SPA), physical activity type, frequency of physical activity, and motives to exercise. Participants were female undergraduates (N=108) enrolled at the University of Victoria. Female students were recruited from Exercise, Physical and Health Education classes that were open to all students from different faculties. A cross-sectional survey assessed social physique anxiety, frequency of physical activity and motives for exercise as well as dividing students according to physical activity type (Varsity, Intramural, High Strenuous Exerciser, Low Strenuous Exerciser). An analysis of variance revealed no association between SPA and physical activity type. Additionally, correlations showed that SPA and frequency of physical activity was not significant. Interestingly, SPA was significant for all motives that include Interest (r=-.371, p<.01), Competence (r=-.330, p<.01), Appearance (r=.430), Fitness (r=-.215, p<.05), and Social (r=-.406, p<.01). A linear regression revealed that only Appearance and Social motives predicted SPA. / Graduate / 0573 / 0347 / 0566 / fawniar@uvic.ca

Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Umeå universitet, 2010. / Härtill 4 uppsatser. Även tryckt utgåva.