Abstract
BackgroundThe drive for muscularity behaviors are very common in male athletes, especially in male bodybuilders. Studies have related drive for muscularity behaviors to body dissatisfaction, eating disorders and muscle dysmorphia.MethodsThis study applied the trans-contextual model of motivation to the drive for muscularity behaviors of male bodybuilders at risk of developing muscle dysmorphia. The relationships between self-determination theory constructs and drive for muscularity behaviors, via the theory of planned behavior variables (i.e., attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and intention) were examined. A total of 175 Swiss male bodybuilders (Mage = 27.34; SDage = 7.53) completed measures on motivation for sport, theory of planned behavior variables, and drive for muscularity behaviors. They practiced bodybuilding from three to 24 h per week (Mhours per week = 6.59; SDhours per week = 3.45) and had done so for 7.19 years on average (SDnumber of years = 6.91). Using bootstrapped maximum likelihood estimation with the AMOS 7.0 program, a series of confirmatory factor analyses was performed on each subscale and a series of path analyses was performed to determine the final model.ResultsThe fit indices of the final model were satisfactory: χ2 (11) = 13.81; p = .244; TLI = .98; CFI = .99; RMSEA = .04. The model explained 29% of the variance of drive for muscularity behaviors. The final path analysis supported the motivational sequence, with autonomous motivation for sport showing a positive, significant and indirect association with the drive for muscularity behaviors via perceived behavioral control and intention to gain muscle mass, and controlled motivation for sport showing a positive association with the drive for muscularity behaviors both directly and via attitude and intention to gain muscle mass.ConclusionsIt was concluded that the trans-contextual model of motivation applies only partially to the drive for muscularity behaviors in male bodybuilders.PerspectiveThe motivational mechanisms explaining the development of drive for muscularity behaviors might be better understood through complementary analyses of motivational profiles. Such investigations would guide the design of programs to lower the risks associated with these behaviors.
Highlights
The drive for muscularity behaviors are very common in male athletes, especially in male bodybuilders
Plain English summary The strengths of the study include the application of the trans-contextual model of motivation to the drive for muscularity behaviors of male bodybuilders at risk of developing muscle dysmorphia
Controlled motivation for sport was significantly and positively related to subjective norm related to gain muscle mass, well (ß = .18, p < .01), but this variable was non-significantly related to the intention to gain muscle mass
Summary
The drive for muscularity behaviors are very common in male athletes, especially in male bodybuilders. Several studies [10] have shown that in the bodybuilding context, DM is associated with significant dietary restraint, with both sugar ingestion and caloric intake are greatly reduced and protein intake is greatly increased [2, 13] This eating plan can sometimes lead to binge eating behaviors [14] and generally heighten the risk of developing an eating disorder [15, 16]. As men living in Western countries are more likely to focus on improving their muscle mass, they tend to become more involved in bodybuilding and are at greater risk of DM [17, 18] Numerous personality traits such as emotional dysregulation and perfectionism [14], anxiety [19], and depression [20] have been related to DM, whereas self-esteem seems negatively related to this variable [14, 19]. Societal norms and social influences have been shown to be involved in the desire to increase muscle mass [21]
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