body image differences in specific levels of female runners.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if differences existed in body image between low and high mileage female runners based on the Multidimensional Body Self-Report Questionnaire - Appearance Scale (MBSRQ-AS) (Cash, 2000). The sample consisted of 119 female runners between the ages of 25 and 55 who had incorporated running into their daily lives for the past 12 months, and were categorized into one of two groups based on frequency and commitment to running. The female runners were recruited from professional conferences, marathons, 10k and 5k road races, running clubs, health/fitness clubs, and running stores. Women who were professional athletes, self-identified with an eating disorder or users of tobacco were excluded from the study. Each of the participants were administered the Multidimensional Body Self-Report Questionnaire - Appearance Scale (MBSRQ-AS), a demographic information form, a brief running questionnaire, and a consent form. An Independent t-Test was utilized to establish if differences existed in body image between low and high mileage female runners based on each of the five independent subscales of the MBSRQ-AS. Independent t-Test results indicated there were no significant differences (p > .05) in body image between the two groups of female runners. Further statistical tests utilized were Spearman rho and Pearson r correlations. These two tests were utilized to identify relationships between subscales of the MBSRQ-AS and demographic questions among female runners in this study. The results from the Spearman rho revealed significant relationships between: (1) number of days run per week and appearance orientation (p = .013); (2) level of education and body areas satisfaction (p = .044); (3) time it takes to run one mile and body areas satisfaction scale (p = .009); (4) inverse correlation between number of roadraces run and self-classified weight (p = .019); and (5) inverse correlation between number of marathons run and self-classified weig