Use of a picture distortion technique to examine perceptive and ideal body image in male and female competitive swimmers

Abstract

Objectives The aim of this study was to compare the perceptive and ideal dimensions of body image in male and female swimmers from national competitive levels of synchronized swimming. Methods Normal-weight French male ( N = 21) and female ( N = 21) swimmers were assessed through a procedure requiring them to manipulate interactive buttons in order to adjust distorted photographs of themselves from their front, profile and back views to reflect their perceived and desired body images. Results The results show differences between males and females both in terms of perceived and desired images. Concerning the perceptive dimension of body image, both males and females overestimate the stoutness of their bodies except for males’ back pictures. Altogether, the differences between perceived and real body image were more significant in males than in females. Concerning the ideal dimensions of body image, females desire to have less stout bodies while males (except for back pictures) desire to have more stout bodies. Females’ ideal body stoutness was revealed to be the same as their real body stoutness but different from their perceived body stoutness. Males’ ideal body stoutness was the same as their perceived body stoutness. Conclusions These results contribute to the growing literature on athletes’ body images. It may be beneficial for future studies to address the specifics of these individuals’ concerns in order to determine whether these swimmers’ patterns are similar to those of other groups of athletes or males and females in general.