Effect Of 8-week Weight Training Class On PSPP Among Weight-preoccupied College Age Women

Abstract

PURPOSE The college years represent an ideal time to instill healthful lifestyle practices such as regular physical activity, however effective strategies for doing so have not yet been identified. Physical activity levels have been shown to be related to Physical Self-Perception Profile (PSPP) scores, but little is known about how PSPP changes in response to exercise and whether this survey can be used to assess program effectiveness. Weight training (WT) has many health benefits for women, yet women are less likely to engage in strength building exercise than men, perhaps because of misconceptions about the effect of WT on body size. Thus, one of the objectives of the current pilot study was to assess the effect of engaging in a formal WT program on PSPP scores in young women who have heightened concerns about body appearance and thus might be averse to engaging in WT. METHODS Subjects consisted of college age women who met the criteria of no regular WT within the last 12 mths and increased preoccupation with body weight. Subjects enrolled in an activity course and received comprehensive instruction on proper technique prior to beginning an 8-wk progressive program targeting all major muscle groups. They completed the PSPP and other surveys before and after the program. RESULTS WT significantly increased 1RM strength (bench press, p<0.001; leg press, p=0.001) and body weight (p<0.001). WT significantly increased (p<0.005) PSPP physical self-worth, indicating that the subjects felt happier overall in regards to their physical self. All other PSPP subscale scores increased, but not significantly. However, positive changes in the PSPP conditioning score (perceptions of physical conditioning) was significantly related to improved feelings assessed by the Eating Disorders Inventory, such as decreased drive for thinness (DT, p<0.05) and body dissatisfaction (BD, p<0.005). Also, improvements in the PSPP strength score (perceived strength and muscular development) was related to decreased DT (p<0.01) and BD (p=0.078). Positive change in the PSPP conditioning score was also significantly correlated to positive changes in global self-esteem (Rosenberg, 1965) and self-concept clarity (Campbell, 1996). CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that a brief, progressive WT program that improves muscular strength leads to improved feelings about the self in young women. Follow-up is needed to determine if immediate changes in PSPP predict long-term physical activity behavior and feelings about the self. These preliminary findings also suggest that college campuses are ideally suited to promote positive attitudes and behaviors that have significant health impact.