Physique Attitudes and Self-Presentational Concerns: Exploratory - PDF document

� 2006) Sex Roles, Vol. 54, Nos. 3/4, February 2006 ( C DOI: 10.1007/s11199-006-9337-4 Physique Attitudes and Self-Presentational Concerns: Exploratory Interviews with Female Group Aerobic Exercisers and Instructors Christy Greenleaf, 1 , 3 Rosemary McGreer, 2 and Heather Parham 1 The purpose of this study was to explore physique attitudes and self-presentational concerns among women who regularly participate in or instruct group aerobic classes. We were inter- ested in conceptualizations of the ideal body, self-presentational concerns, and the influence of instructors in the group aerobics context. Five instructors and 6 exercisers participated in semi-structured interviews. Two higher order themes were identified from the interview data: (a) perceived body ideals and (b) body image experiences in the group aerobics context. Par- ticipants described the ideal body as lean and toned and attainable, but cautioned that being too muscular was unattractive and should be avoided. Exercisers experienced heightened self-presentation during aerobics more than the instructors did. Both exercisers and instruc- tors thought that instructors should serve as body role models. KEY WORDS: social physique anxiety; females; exercise. The current sociocultural body ideal for women dominate the ‘aerobics’ class to sculpt slim, lithe, is lean, thin, and toned (Hausenblas, Brewer, & ‘feminine’ bodies” (p. 112). It is not surprising, then, VanRaalte, 2004; Markula, 1995), yet for most that group aerobics is a popular mode of exercise women this ideal is quite unrealistic. Throughout for women (National Sporting Goods Association, history, women have gone to great lengths in at- 2004). tempting to move their bodies closer to the ideal. Group aerobics classes often put women’s bod- Plastic surgery, often the means of achieving im- ies on display as works in progress in an environ- proved looks in popular television programs, is only ment that Loland (2000) called a “culture of display” one method used to mold bodies into the “proper” (p. 121). Women are socialized to believe that there form (Lindeman, 1999; Sarwer, Magee, & Crerand, is always room to improve their physique and that ex- 2004). More often, women engage in dieting and ercise is a means to the socially desirable physique. In exercise behaviors aimed at losing weight (specifi- the present study, we were interested in understand- cally fat) and toning their bodies, with the ultimate ing the physique attitudes and self-presentational goal of improved appearance (Davis & Cowles, 1991; concerns of women who regularly participate in this Davis, Fox, Brewer, & Ratusny, 1995; Frederick “culture of display.” Specifically, we used a self- & Shaw, 1995; Imm & Pruitt, 1991). Maguire and presentational framework (Leary, 1992) to explore Mansfield (1998) noted that aerobics is a traditionally the perceptions of female group aerobics exercisers feminine activity and hypothesized that “ . . . women and instructors. Self-presentation refers to the pro- cesses of monitoring and controlling how one is per- ceived and evaluated by others, with the goal of cre- 1 University of North Texas, Denton, Texas. ating a good impression (Leary, 1992). Leary (1996) 2 YMCA, Alief, Texas. has suggested that self-presentational behaviors re- 3 To whom correspondence should be addressed at KHPR sult from an interaction of personal and situational Department, University of North Texas, P.O. Box 310769, characteristics, thus a self-presentational framework Denton, Texas 76203-0769; e-mail: cgreenleaf@coe.unt.edu. 189 � 2006 Springer Science + Business Media, Inc. 0360-0025/06/0200-0189/0 C

190 Greenleaf, McGreer, and Parham seemed appropriate given the focus of the present 2004; Evans & Kennedy, 1993; Hausenblas & Martin, study. 2000; Olson, Williford, Richards, Brown, & Pugh, The group aerobics environment is one in which 1996). the body is the central focus. Exercisers often In addition, group aerobic instructors may in- wear tight or revealing clothing in mirrored rooms, fluence the exercisers in their classes. Instructors, in which can raise bodily awareness (Katula, McAuley, their leadership role, have the power to shape the Mihalko, & Bane, 1998) and heighten social compar- psychosocial atmosphere of their classes by their at- ison and competition (Frederick & Shaw, 1995). Self- titudes and behaviors, which in turn may have an presentational concerns can influence exercise mo- effect on exercisers (Evans & Kennedy, 1993). For tivation, behaviors, and affective responses (Focht instance, exercisers may be sensitive to and pick up & Hausenblas, 2003; Frederick & Morrison, 1996; on body- and weight-related comments made by in- Leary, 1992; Spink, 1992). Some women who are structors (Loland, 2000). Moreover, exercisers may concerned about how others will evaluate them may see their instructors as role models (Vogel, 1999) and avoid exercise settings so as not to put themselves on thus imitate their attitudes and behaviors. Although display, yet others may engage in exercise in order to some exercisers may want instructors to have a fit achieve their ideal physique (Hausenblas et al., 2004; appearing physique (i.e., lean) (Vogel, 2000), others Leary, 1992). Women who find ways to exercise de- may prefer “more human” (i.e., larger) instructors spite concern over their appearance (and how others (Markula, 1995). are evaluating their appearance) may be less likely Not only may exercisers have a preference for to enjoy exercise (Frederick & Morrison, 1996). Fur- instructors’ with certain physiques, but instructors’ ther, women with strong self-presentational concerns physiques may influence exercisers’ self-perceptions. are likely to engage in coping behaviors such as wear- For example, in a study of commercial exercise ing (or preferring) clothing that conceals their bod- videos, Fleming and Ginis (2004) found that partic- ies and positioning themselves in the exercise en- ipants reported lower levels of self-presentational ef- vironment in ways that reduce social comparison ficacy (i.e., confidence in the ability to present one’s (Brewer, Diehl, Cornelius, Joshua, & VanRaalte, self as a fit, competent exerciser) after watching an 2004; Crawford & Eklund, 1994; Eklund & Crawford, exercise video with an instructor whose body re- 1994; Maguire & Mansfield, 1998). flected cultural ideals. Based on this finding, it is rea- Within the exercise setting, instructors may also sonable to expect that instructors’ physiques would experience self-presentational demands such as per- also affect exercisers’ self-perceptions in the group forming in front of students and being evaluated by aerobic class environment. Instructors may be aware students (Hausenblas & Martin, 2000). Exercise in- of the appearance and physique expectations ex- structors’ physiques may be judged as reflections of ercisers have of them, yet there is little research their professional fitness knowledge and expertise in this area. In one of the few studies related to (Philips & Drummond, 2001; Vogel, 2000). For ex- appearance pressures faced by aerobic instructors, ample, Vogel (2000) found that instructors who ap- Thompson and Sargent (2000) suggested that instruc- peared to be fit were judged as competent. This is tors who perceive pressure to be role models may be not unexpected as there are strong sociocultural be- more likely to engage in extreme eating and exercise liefs about what a fit and healthy body does and does behaviors. not look like (Greenleaf, Starks, Gomez, Chambliss, Clearly, both group aerobic exercisers & Martin, 2004). Even among health professionals and instructors are exposed to a variety of there is a tendency to have biases for thin body types self-presentational demands. We used a self- (Schwartz, Chambliss, Brownell, Blair, & Billington, presentational framework and built on previous 2003; Teachman & Brownell, 2001). Although incor- research to explore the physique-related attitudes rect, it is often assumed that, unless someone is thin and self-presentational concerns of female group and lean, she is not fit. Given the job demands of aerobic instructors and exercisers. A unique aspect being an exercise instructor, it is not surprising that of our study was the inclusion of both instructors and exercise instructors and fitness leaders have reported exercisers, as they may have both similar and unique experiencing a variety of disordered eating attitudes experiences in their given roles. Issues related to self- and behaviors, as well as social physique anxiety presentation, and specifically body image and body and self-presentational motives for teaching aero- (dis)satisfaction, were explored in relation to par- bics classes (Davis, Dieterich, Van Meter, & Pullo, ticipation in group aerobics. Further, we examined