Self-Perceptions of College Female Athletes, Exercisers, and Non-Exercisers of their Sport Comptence, Physical Conditioning, Body Attractiveness, Physical Strength, and Overall Physical Self-Worth

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to further understand physical self-perception differences between athletes and exercisers, athletes and non-exercisers, and exercisers and non-exercisers and investigate the influence of each of the four subdomains (i.e., sport competence, physical conditioning, body attractiveness, and physical strength) on college females' overall physical self-worth. The Physical Self-Perception Profile was used to survey female college students attending one Midwestern University. Self-perceptions of the subdomains of physical strength and body attractiveness were statistically significant positive predictors of female college students' overall physical self-worth for all three groups. That is, female athletes, exercisers, and non-exercisers who perceived their body attractiveness and physical strength positively were more likely to perceive their overall physical self-worth more positively. However, no statistically significant differences were reported on the subdomain of body attractiveness among any of the three groups. Statistically significant differences were reported between athletes and exercisers, athletes and non-exercisers, and exercisers and non-exercisers on self-perceptions of their physical strength. Therefore, it was concluded that overall physical self-worth could be improved when exercise programs and sport competition focused on the development of physical strength.