Puberty and physical self-perceptions of competitive female figure skaters: An interdisciplinary approach

This study considered the interrelationships among biological maturation and its physical correlates, social physique anxiety, and appearance-related physical self-perceptions in 113 adolescent female figure skaters participating in solo (n = 73) or partner contexts (n= 40). Participants were interviewed about their menarcheal status, underwent a battery of anthropometric measurements, and completed the Physical Self Description Questionnaire and the Social Physique Anxiety Scale. Menarcheal status was a stronger correlate of physical self-perceptions than age. A combination of biological and psychological characteristics accounted for 25% of the variance in appearance-related physical self-perceptions. Younger, premenarcheal, ectomorphic skaters reporting lower social physique anxiety were more satisfied with their body fat and Sport competence but reported lower self-esteem, global physical self-concept, and appearance scores. Skating context did not predict physical self-perceptions.
© Copyright 2006 Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport. American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD). All rights reserved.

Bibliographic Details
Subjects:
Notations:social sciences technical sports
Published in:Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport
Language:English
Published: Reston 2006
Volume:77
Issue:2
Pages:158-166
Document types:article
Level:advanced