Cross-Sectional Analysis of Actual Versus Perceived Body Composition in Female Footballer’s Body Image

Mills, Claire ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4156-4593 and Watson, Aimee (2023) Cross-Sectional Analysis of Actual Versus Perceived Body Composition in Female Footballer’s Body Image. Journal of Clinical Research and Clinical Trials, 2 (2). doi:10.59657/2837-7184.brs.23.007

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Abstract

Introduction: Research surrounding body image has shown that when researchers use body mass index (BMI) as an estimate of their perceived BMI, participants typically overestimate. Therefore, the main objective of this investigation was to determine the correlation between actual and perceived BC in the overall, upper, trunk and lower body within female footballers. Method: n=10 female footballers aged between the ages of 18-25 years competing in the National League Division One South West were recruited via selective and purposeful sampling. Six anthropometric skinfolds (triceps, subscapular, suprailiac, abdominal, anterior thigh and medial calf) were taken and then used in a pre-selected calibration model to calculate actual BC. A questionnaire containing 2D images of different components of BC were used to assess participants perceived BC. P value was set at < 0.05 and a paired Student t-Test was used to test for the difference and a Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient test was then used to test the strength of the correlation between the actual and perceived BC. Results: Actual whole BC ranged from 55–111 (x 79.2±20.5 mm) whereas participants whole body perceived BC ranged from 60–100 (x 82±0.5 mm). Sectional analysis revealed that the biggest difference in data was in the trunk (P=0.001). Conclusion: Results indicated that perceived BC was higher than participants actual BC within overall and in sectional analysis, suggesting that female footballers competing at an elite level typically have negative body image perceptions. Recommendations: It is suggested that future research continues to understand in greater depth which parts of the body athletes are dissatisfied with, in order prevent health consequences such as eating disorders.

Item Type:	Article
Article Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Body mass index; Body image; Body composition; Perception; Female football
Subjects:	Q Science > QP Physiology > QP301.H75 Physiology. Sport
Divisions:	Schools and Research Institutes > School of Education and Science
Depositing User:	Claire Mills
Date Deposited:	25 Jun 2025 10:17
Last Modified:	01 Jul 2025 14:00
URI:	https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/15132

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