Physical activity and body image of women: literature review

Sonia Mosur-Kaluza, PhD studies, The Faculty of Physical Education, Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, PolandFollow
Monika Guszkowska, Department of Social and Cultural Foundations of Tourism, The Faculty of Tourism and Recreation, Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Poland

Abstract

This study represents a review of literature on the relationship between recreational physical activity and the body image. This research encompasses 39 papers published between 2008 and 2015 that were available in the Academic Search Complete database. The results of comparative, prospective, and experimental research are ambiguous. These data suggest both a positive relationship between the body image and physical activity, i.e. a more positive body image among more active people and an improvement in the body image as a result of regular exercise, and a negative relationship, in particular, a more negative body image in persons engaging in “aesthetic” sports. Apparently, this is determined by the type of physical activity, i.e. recreational vs. sport. In the case of the latter, it is determined by the sport discipline chosen by respondents.

Recommended Citation

Mosur-Kaluza S, Guszkowska M. Physical activity and body image of women: literature review. Balt J Health Phys Activ 2015; 7(3): 29-37. doi: 10.29359/BJHPA.07.3.04