Body Perception and Self-Esteem in Individuals Performing a Bodybuilding Exercise Program

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship of body, upper extremity, lower extremity endurances and core functionality with body perception and self-esteem in individuals who continued a body building exercise program. Materials and Methods: Forty volunteer male subjects who underwent bodybuilding exercises for one year or more were included in the study. After obtaining personal information of the individuals, trunk endurance was evaluated by curl-up and modified Sorensen test, upper extremity endurance by push-up test, lower extremity endurance by repeated squat test, core functionalities by single leg wall sitting and repeated single leg squatting tests. Body perception and self-esteem were evaluated with Body Image Perception and Rosenberg Self-Esteem scales, respectively. Results: Mean age of the individuals was 25.6 ± 4.7 yrs, mean exercise time was 22.5 ± 34.6 months. At the end of the study, body perception was low and self-esteem was moderate. There were no significant relationships between abdominal extensor, back extensor, upper extremity and lower extremity endurances, core functionalities and both body perception and self-esteem evaluations (p>0.05). Conclusion: The body, upper and lower extremity endurances and core functionality of bodybuilders did not have any effect on body perception and self-esteem, suggesting that their programs did not contribute positively to their efforts to improve their body perception and self- esteem.

Keywords

• body perception
• self-esteem
• body endurance
• core muscle functionality