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Online exercise programming has surged in popularity; however, little is known about older adults' perceptions and experiences of online exercise. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively examine older adults' (aged 59–82 years) experiences and perceptions of an online exercise program during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nineteen individuals (individuals who used the online exercise program and those who did not) completed a semistructured interview. Three main themes were generated from the data using reflexive thematic analysis: (a) can online exercise really work for older adults? (b) technology attitudes and experiences influence online participation, and (c) barriers and advantages of the online exercise program and the home environment. Most participants who took part were able to overcome initial barriers through technical support and experience. Our findings highlight ways to promote advantages and address barriers of online exercise for older adults and emphasize the importance of fostering social experiences and training online exercise instructors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the psychometric properties of the Self-Presentational Efficacy Scale (SPES) developed by Gammage, Hall, and Martin Ginis (2004). University students (196 men and 269 women) completed the SPES and measures of social physique anxiety, fear of negative evaluation, and physical activity. Participants also completed the SPES a second time. A series of multivariate data analyses were conducted to examine the SPES's factor structure. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated a 3-factor model, with each factor representing a distinct latent variable. Acceptable internal consistency and test-retest reliability were found. Evidence of concurrent validity with respect to sex and exercise status was demonstrated. Convergent validity was also shown, as relationships to exercise participation and self-presentational anxiety were found. Future research should assess the reliability and validity of the SPES in other samples and the relative and unique contribution of the three factors in predicting exercise-related outcomes. (Contains 4 tables and 1 figure.)

Objective: The purpose of this cross-sectional investigation was to examine (1) gender differences in osteoporosis-related knowledge and beliefs and (2) if these beliefs could predict vigorous physical activity behavior in university students. Participants: Male (n = 176) and female (n = 351) university students participated in the study. Methods: Participants completed self-report measures of osteoporosis knowledge and health beliefs and vigorous physical activity. Results: Regardless of gender, osteoporosis knowledge was relatively poor. Women reported higher knowledge, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, and calcium barriers, and lower exercise self-efficacy than men. Regression analyses showed that for women, perceived susceptibility, health motivation, and exercise self-efficacy predicted vigorous physical activity, whereas for men, exercise barriers was the only predictor. Conclusions: Gender differences in osteoporosis health beliefs appear to be greater in older adults than college-aged students. Interventions designed to increase vigorous physical activity may want to target different beliefs for men and women. (Contains 1 note and 2 tables.)

Increasing dropout rates in senior high school physical education, particularly among females, and unhealthy activity and obesity levels in youth have led to recommendations to assess potential contributing factors in physical education participation. Drawing from gender, body image, and social-cognitive theory, this study investigated relations between body size discrepancy, self-efficacy, test anxiety, and achievement in 316 high school physical education students. Gender differences were noted in body size discrepancy (females reported the desire to have a smaller body). Specifically in females, body size discrepancy predicted test anxiety, which predicted self-efficacy. Self-efficacy predicted achievement in both males and females. The results signal that gender-specific relations among these constructs are important factors to consider in the achievement scores of students in high school physical education. Physical education programs should model curricula and instructional practices that defuse potentially harmful body image discrepancies that seem most poignant in females while engaging all learners to feel competent and safe. (Contains 2 figures and 2 tables.)

Muscle dysmorphia is a form of body dysmorphic disorder in which individuals have a pathological preoccupation with their muscularity and, more specifically, an extreme fear that their bodies are too small. Relatively few empirical studies have been completed on muscle dysmorphia, and even fewer studies on the relationship between the drive for muscularity and muscle dysmorphia in men and women. The purpose of this research was to examine the relationship between the drive for muscularity and muscle dysmorphia in male (n = 55) and female (n = 59) recreational weight trainers. Results revealed that the behavior and diet subscales of the drive for muscularity significantly predicted muscle dysmorphia in males and females accounting for 69% and 46% of the total variance, respectively. Although the overall scores of muscle dysmorphia do not indicate clinical levels, these findings suggest that behaviors such as arranging one's schedule around his/her training regimen and dieting in order to gain muscle predict characteristics of muscle dysmorphia in men and women. KEY WORDS body image, muscular ideal, diet

The purpose of the present study was to investigate (a) gender differences in performance (i.e., mean force) and trait self-presentational concerns (i.e., fear of negative evaluation [FNE] and social physique anxiety [SPA]) and (b) the relationship between trait self-presentational concerns and performance (force) on a maximal isometric strength test as commonly occurs in strength training studies. Participants consisted of 50 women and 46 men. Ali participants were right handed and physically active and were recruited from the general population of Brock University ([M.sub.age] = 23.1 years, SD = 2.7). They completed measures of trait self-presentational concerns (SPA, FNE) before undergoing 5 maximal voluntary contractions of the elbow flexors. Results showed that, after adjusting for years weight training experience, men scored higher on force and women scored higher on SPA and FNE (all p's < 0.05). Further, for men, FNE significantly predicted force (p < 0.001). Thus, trait concerns over being evaluated by others are related to men's performance in a strength test. In strength testing settings, researchers and trainers should consider trait self-presentational concerns, which may impact actual performance. KEY WORDS social physique anxiety, fear of negative evaluation, gender differences, maximum voluntary contraction

The present study investigated the relationship between cognitive manifestations of self-presentation (social physique anxiety, self-presentational efficacy, impression motivation, and exercise imagery) and exercise behavior in 235 female exercisers. Each participant completed the Social Physique Anxiety Scale, a measure of self-presentational efficacy, the impression motivation subscale of the Self-Presentation in Exercise Questionnaire, and the Exercise Imagery Questionnaire. The results of a MANCOVA indicated high-frequency exercisers reported higher levels of efficacy expectancy, outcome value, and exercise imagery than did low-frequency exercisers. Semi-partial correlations showed efficacy expectancy, outcome expectancy, and appearance imagery each accounted for significant variance in social physique anxiety, independent of other predictors. Self-presentational efficacy expectancy appears to be a potent variable in both exercise behavior and social physique anxiety.

The purpose of this study was to examine imagery use in recreational weightlifters. Participants were 415 male weightlifters, ages 18 to 62 years (Mage = 25.91 ± 7.6 years). Weightlifters [...]

Purpose: The current study compared a single yoga group exercise class and a resistance group exercise class for their effects on state body satisfaction and social physique anxiety in women. Methods: A pretest-posttest design was used. Participants (N = 46) completed both a resistance exercise class and yoga class in a counterbalanced order. Measures of body satisfaction and social physique anxiety were completed immediately before and after each class. Results: A 2 (time) × 2 (class type) repeatedmeasures multiple analysis of variance showed a significant overall Time × Class Type interaction (F2,44 = 5.69, P < .01, ηp2 = .21). There was a significant increase in body satisfaction after the yoga class. After both classes, there was a significant decrease in social physique anxiety, but the magnitude of the change was larger after the yoga class than after the resistance class. Conclusions: Both types of exercise class were associated with improvements in body image, but there were greater improvements after the yoga class. This study provided evidence of the positive effects of yoga for reducing state social physique anxiety and increasing state body satisfaction, adding to correlational evidence suggesting that yoga is particularly beneficial for improving body image-related outcomes in women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite the well-documented benefits of physical activity, North Americans remain insufficiently inactive. Consequently, determining what motivates individuals to engage in physical activity becomes increasingly important. The purpose of this study was to examine whether the frequency of negative appearance-related commentary and positive appearance-related commentary could predict physical activity behavior. Methods: Participants were young adult women (N = 192) who completed a series of questionnaires to assess the frequency of appearance-related commentary they received and their physical activity behavior. Results: A hierarchical regression analysis indicated the overall regression was significant, F (4,187) = 4.73, P < .001, R2adj = .07, ΔR2= .07), with positive weight/shape appearance-related commentary (β = 470.27, P< .001) significantly predicting physical activity behavior, while controlling for body mass index. Conclusions: Providing positive reinforcement via positive weight/shape compliments may be beneficial to motivate physical activity participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Action research is a methodology seldom used within both body image and mixed methods research. The current study is an application of action research to a 6-week mixed methods assessment of a positive body image program. Eighteen participants (14 women, 4 men) completed questionnaires pre–post intervention and at a 6-week follow-up. Sixteen participants completed individual interviews. Using mixed methods, participants' positive body image was found to significantly improve and be sustained 6-weeks later. A multidimensional mixed methods research finding was an increase in participants' positive body image and decrease in negative body image. This article highlights the versatility of mixed methods as it integrated well with an action research approach and fueled the interpretation of findings in a heterogeneous sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present study was to examine the influence of self-presentational efficacy on social anxiety in an exercise context. Participants for this study were 68 female exercisers. Self-presentational efficacy was manipulated in two groups, high and low efficacy. Individuals in the low efficacy group showed higher levels of three measures of social anxiety (social anxiety in exercise classes M = 17.69, physical appearance anxiety M = 17.69, and social physique anxiety M = 30.89) than those in the high efficacy group (social anxiety in exercise classes M = 12.34, p < .001, physical appearance anxiety M = 12.71, p < .013, and social physique anxiety M = 25.87, p < .003). Furthermore, participants in the low efficacy group (M = 3.47) indicated that they were looking less forward to the upcoming aerobics class compared to those in the high efficacy group (M = 6.68, p < .001). Thus it appears that self-presentational efficacy has a potent influence on social anxiety in exercise contexts. Potential applications to exercise settings and future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the cognitive and motivational functions of imagery. Types of imagery; Factors influencing exercise motivation; Correlation between exercise imagery and exercise motives.

Comments on the article regarding the application of theory of ironic process of mental control in sports and exercise. Failures of cognitive functioning and reversals in attempts at self-regulation by athletes; Use of ironic processes of mental control; Development of negative expectations and negative images.

This article highlights the use and importance of action research in creating a new positive body image program. The purpose of the larger action research project was to design, test, and implement a positive body image program by working with a core group of diverse stakeholders from an exercise facility. Stakeholders included older adults (aged 55+), people with physical disabilities, and those with cardiovascular disease or risk factors, populations rarely included in the body image literature, particularly in program design. The resulting program was built to teach members of the facility about body image (e.g. its definition, causes, and influences), positive body image, and how to manage their own body image experiences and be critical of the Western beauty ideal. The project is outlined with emphasis on the development of the program along with the researcher's reflexive notes and participant feedback. We also highlight the strengths and challenges of using action research in the development of a positive body image program with suggestions to improve this process for future action researchers. This research highlights the importance of using action research in order to engage participants who are not typically involved in the knowledge production process of body image program development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]