Degree Name
Master of Science in Education
Graduate Program
Kinesiology
Advisor
Becque, Motier D.
Abstract
There are many studies on body image but few focus on the body image of athletes. Further, there are few studies on the effects of appearance on athletic performance. Past studies have focused on internalization or body image dissatisfaction. None have gathered data about competition to see if body image and appearance of competitors effects athletic performance. Using an 18 question adapted Likert survey and two qualitative questions we explored whether appearance of the other competitors has an impact on athletic performance. The study was conducted using 50 division I female athletes from the softball, volleyball, tennis, swimming and diving, and track and field teams. The participants were in the age range of 20 ± 1.29 years. All subjects completed the survey in its entirety to be included in the study. The results showed that there appears to be no relationship between performance and body image. Mean scores for the entire group were 3.04 ± 1.4. Mean scores were also calculated for each individual team; softball, 3.2 ± 1.44, volleyball, 2.7 ± 1.48, swimming and diving, 3.7 ± 1.41, track and field 2.8 ± 1.35, and tennis, 2.9 ± 0.94. These results indicate that competitor appearance does not have an impact on female NCAA DI athletes.