Muscular Body Type Research Articles

The values you endorse set the body you see: The protective effect of intrinsic life goals on men's body dissatisfaction.

The mass media portrayal of a muscular body type ideal has been increasingly tied to men's body image dissatisfaction. We examined the role of self‐determination theory's intrinsic life goals within this body image ideal and its potential as a moderator of this dissatisfaction. We first tested the moderating effect of intrinsic life goals on the link between magazine consumption and body image dissatisfaction via an online questionnaire (Study 1; N = 826), then experimentally manipulated these goals and exposure to images of muscular male models (Study 2; N = 150). A robust protective effect of intrinsic goals on body image satisfaction was observed – the relationship between magazine consumption and body image dissatisfaction was only significant among individuals with a lower level of intrinsic life goal orientation. When participants' intrinsic goals were momentarily heightened, they reported significantly less body image dissatisfaction, compared to those not receiving a strengthening of these goals. The results are the first to find a protective effect of intrinsic life goals on men's body image, and have important implications for intervention.

Exploring the Experiences of Gay Men with Regards to Eating, Exercise, and Mindfulness-Based Concepts.

Existing research investigating gay men’s eating behavior has focused on stereotypes and body image, rather than to understand why disordered eating is prevalent in gay men. The current study adopted a qualitative approach and employed interview methodology to explore gay men’s attitudes, feelings and experiences of their eating behavior, and the potential link to mindfulness and self-compassion. Twenty gay men aged from 21 to 51 years were interviewed using an interview schedule with open-ended questions. Three main themes emerged from the transcript data sets: “Lean to be Seen,” “Sod it ‘I’ll Have a Pizza,” and “You Can’t Sit with Us.” The first theme was developed following responses that participant’s eating behavior and exercise engagement were influenced by their perceived attractiveness by the gay community. All participants spoke of achieving or maintaining a slim or muscular body type and adopted their eating behavior or exercise regime to reach corresponding goals. The second theme relates to the lack of acceptance felt from the gay community upon not conforming to the bodily expectations set out by the community. The third theme relates to the conflicts in participants’ attitudes around how exercising and eating healthily would improve their mental well-being; but that they also would give preference to calorie dense foods to reduce stress. These reflections are observed through a context of self-kindness and self-compassion and are seen to be related to increased feelings of self-criticism and body dissatisfaction. The limitations and implication for this research and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Somatotype of Santal Tribal Women of West Bengal in India

Sixty-four Santal tribal women from Paschim Medinipur district, West Bengal, India, were studied for their somatotype. The studied women were with an average age of 32.5 ± 11.6 years with a wide age range of 16–70. Average height was 150.2 (±5.2) cm. Heath–Carter method (1967) was followed for somatotyping. Average somatotype of the studied Santal women was 3.9 (±1.5) – 4.1 (1.1) – 2.9 ± (1.7). A total of 16–20 year age group had an average somatotype of 3.7 (±1.0) – 3.3 (±0.7) – 3.4 (±1.5), whereas that of 21–30 had an average somatotype of 3.4 (±1.2) – 3.7 (±1.0) – 3.9 (±1.5). A total of 31–40 year age group were more mesomorphic with an average somatotype of 4.4 (±1.6) – 4.4 (±1.2) – 2.1 (±1.7). Mesomorphy component increased as the Santal women grew up. The women from age group 41 to 50 year had an average somatotype of 4.0 (±1.6) – 4.6 (±1.1) – 1.9 (±1.3), whereas that of older women of 51–70 year age group were more mesomorphic with an average value of 5.0 (±1.9) – 5.1 (±0.7) – 1.7 (±0.7). Thus, muscularity of the Santal women increased as age increased. This was due to their changed lifestyle from young age to older age where older had to do more physical work than the young adults. Thus, well-built muscular body type of Santal women was an adaptation for hard physical work for survival.

Muscles and the Media: A Natural Experiment Across Cultures in Men's Body Image.

An increasing number of studies are evidencing relationships between the drive for muscularity and potentially harmful behavioral strategies, such as unhealthy dieting and steroid use amongst men in WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic) populations. As such Western appearance standards proliferate around the world via the media, men who live in other cultural contexts are also at risk of potentially negative effects from aspiring to the “muscular ideal.” However, few studies have explored these relationships in non-WEIRD populations. We investigated men’s body ideals and body image in two non-WEIRD, non-White populations, Uganda (Africa) and Nicaragua (Central America), and compared them with an ethnically diverse sample of men in the United Kingdom. We also examined whether socio-cultural factors including media and ethnicity, predicted the drive for muscularity and body change behaviors among our participants. Results showed that Ugandan men had the least desire for muscularity relative to men in the United Kingdom. Supporting the Tripartite model we found that media and peer influences significantly predicted the drive for muscularity, particularly among men from White British and Nicaraguan Miskitu ethnic groups. By contrast, Creole / Garifuna and Mestizo men from Nicaragua were more likely to want to increase muscularity relative to Black African men from Uganda. Overall, our findings support previous research in demonstrating that there are cultural differences in the kind of body men desire, and that men from WEIRD and non-WEIRD populations may experience similar pressures to aspire to and attain a muscular body type.

Aquatic Heterosexual Love and Wondrous Cliché Stereotypes: Amphibian Masculinity, the Beast Bridegroom Motif and ‘the Other’ in The Shape of Water.

This paper addresses the representation of masculinities in the award-winning romantic fantasy film The Shape of Water (2017). The study examines how The Shape of Water communicates with other texts and myths portraying aquatic entities such as Gill Man from The Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954) and how the movie is tied to the folkloric tradition of monstrous love interest. Further, the text investigates how otherness is portrayed and constructed through the different representations in the movie. The paper concludes that the film’s diverse characters create a superficial appearance of an understanding for marginalised subjects. The Shape of Water is a classic beast bridegroom fairy tale with stagnated representations of feminine and masculine ideals that turn ‘the other’ into an instrument of self-realisation for a white subject. Moreover, the Amphibian Man is differentiated from his aquatic female counterparts through traditional masculine attributes such as a muscular body type, a reptilian appearance and being two-legged instead of having a fishtail.

Pluralistic Ignorance of Physical Attractiveness in the Gay Male Community

ABSTRACTResearchers have found that a disproportionate percentage of men diagnosed with eating disorders identify as gay, and there is extensive evidence that gay men have significantly more body image concerns than heterosexual men (Bosley, 2011). The current studies investigated whether pluralistic ignorance exists about what is considered attractive in the gay community. It was hypothesized that gay males would privately reject the notion that only a mesomorphic (thin and muscular) body type is attractive, yet incorrectly assume that their peers are attracted primarily to a mesomorphic body type. The studies found evidence for the existence of pluralistic ignorance about what is considered attractive in the gay community. Further, there was evidence for a significant association between pluralistic ignorance and body image concerns, particularly among men who were not in committed romantic relationships.

The Effects of 24 weeks passive aquatic rehabilitation exercise on change muscular body type in Women with Osteoarthritis

The Effects of 24 weeks passive aquatic rehabilitation exercise on change muscular body type in Women with Osteoarthritis

The Change of Facial Asymmetry and Muscular Body Type in Female University Students With Bodily Asymmetry by Manual Therapy

This study was designed to compare the effects Golgeun therapy and meridian massage on facial asymmetry and muscular body type of female university students who are diagnosed with bodily asymmetry and investigate the effectiveness. Thirty-five female university students with bodily asymmetry by Moire topography were volunteered to participate in this study and were randomly assigned to one of two groups, ie., Golgeun therapy group (n=17) and meridian massage group (n=18), respectively for 10 weeks and the before and after results about facial asymmetry and muscular body type through Moire topography. The Received (June 7, 2016), Review Result (June 21, 2016) Accepted (June 28, 2016), Published (August 31, 2016) 356-706 Dept, of Health care, Graduate School, Hanseo Univ., Seosan-si, Chungcheoungnam-do, Korea email: jlovemer@naver.com 2 (Corresponding Author)356-706 Dept. Cosmetology, Hanseo Univ., Haemi-myun, Seosan-si, Chungcheoungnam-do, Korea. email: eychoi@hanseo.ac.kr The Change of Facial Asymmetry and Muscular Body Type in Female University Students With Bodily Asymmetry by Manual Therapy Copyright c 2016 HSST 52 collected data were analyzed by the SPSS(Statistical package for the social science) WIN 18.0. The change of facial asymmetry and muscular body type has been comprehensively improved in the statistics before and after Golgeun therapy and meridian massage. Therefore, manual therapy is proved to give positive affect to facial asymmetry and muscular body type of female students with bodily asymmetry. Most of the numerous previous facial asymmetry had studied to be concerned in the surgery and orthodontic but this study which appeared the improved method with massage will help the massage development on the beauty sector.

The Change of Facial Asymmetry and Muscular Body Type in Female University Students With Bodily Asymmetry by Manual Therapy

The Change of Facial Asymmetry and Muscular Body Type in Female University Students With Bodily Asymmetry by Manual Therapy

Racial variations in binge eating, body image concerns, and compulsive exercise among men.

Binge eating in young men is associated with obesity and metabolic dysfunction, as well as disordered eating attitudes and behaviors. Although preliminary research suggests that Asian American males might be more likely to binge eat and report body image concerns compared with men of other races/ethnicities, few studies have investigated racial variations in this disordered eating behavior and its correlates. The goal of the current study was to examine binge eating, body image concerns, drive for muscularity, and compulsive exercise in a sample of Black, Asian American, and White men (N = 365). Results suggest that men who reported binge eating also reported higher body mass, male body image concerns, internalization of the male body ideal, and compulsive exercise than men who did not engage in binge eating. Asian American men endorsed higher body image concerns relative to White and Black men. Furthermore, compulsive exercise was particularly high among Asian American men with binge eating. Although additional research is needed to examine potential variations in binge eating, body image, and compulsive exercise in diverse racial and ethnic groups, results suggest that Asian American men might be at higher risk for disordered eating attitudes and behaviors consistent with a desire to achieve a muscular body type. Future research should examine cultural factors, such as acculturation, that might contribute to these potentially harmful cognitions and behaviors.

Eating Disorder Risk and Body Dissatisfaction Based on Muscularity and Body Fat in Male University Students

Objective: To investigate the relationship between risk of eating disorders, body dissatisfaction, and perceptual attractiveness in male university students. Participants: Research was conducted January–April 2012 and involved 339 male and 441 female students. Methods: Eating disorder risk was assessed with the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) and body dissatisfaction and perceptual attractiveness determined with the Bodybuilder Image Grid (BIG). Results: There was a positive correlation (r = .16, p < .01) between the EAT and fat dissatisfaction and a negative correlation (r = −.14, p < .05) for muscle dissatisfaction, 28% of the males had an EAT score indicating that they were at risk for an eating disorder. Males chose a significantly more muscular and leaner body type than what females chose to be attractive. Conclusion: College-aged males may be at risk for eating disorders based on distortions in their perceived ideal body image, both for fat and muscle.

12주간의 슬링운동이 작업관련성 근골격계 질환자의 근체형 변화에 미치는 영향

12주간의 슬링운동이 작업관련성 근골격계 질환자의 근체형 변화에 미치는 영향

Analysis of the Clinical Variables Associated with Recrudescence after Malignant Hyperthermia Reactions

Some patients develop recrudescence after a malignant hyperthermia (MH) reaction, but it is not clear which patients are at risk. The authors analyzed clinical variables associated with recrudescence after a clinical MH episode. Data were obtained from Adverse Metabolic Reaction to Anesthesia reports in the North American Malignant Hyperthermia Registry. Patients who underwent general anesthesia and with an MH clinical grading score of 20 or greater, indicating a likely MH reaction, were included in this analysis. Patient characteristics, anesthetic agents, MH reaction clinical details, and postoperative outcomes were compared in the recrudescence and no recrudescence groups using chi-square tests and Z tests for categorical variables and the Student t test for continuous variables. Associations of clinical variables with recrudescence were assessed with univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Of 308 patients, 63 (20%) had recrudescence. The mean time from initial reaction to recrudescence was 13 h (SD = 13 h). Patients with recrudescence were more likely to have a muscular body type (P < 0.01), malignant hyperthermia score of 35 or greater (P < 0.01), a temperature increase (P < 0.01), and more than 150 min from induction to adverse reaction (P < 0.05). Muscular body type, a temperature increase, and a longer time from induction to initial malignant hyperthermia reaction were associated with recrudescence on multivariate logistic regression analysis. Recrudescence occurred in 20% of patients. Muscular body types had a higher rate of recrudescence, perhaps associated with increased muscle mass. The risk of recrudescence increased as time from induction to the initial MH reaction increased, perhaps as a result of greater muscle exposure to triggering agents.

Men's voices and women's choices

I investigated the relationship between male human vocal characteristics and female judgements about the speaker. Thirty-four males were recorded uttering five vowels and measures were taken, from power spectrums, of the first five harmonic frequencies, overall peak frequency and formant frequencies (emphasized, resonance, frequencies within the vowel). Male body measures were also taken (age, weight, height, and hip and shoulder width) and the men were asked whether they had chest hair. The recordings were then played to female judges, who were asked to rate the males' attractiveness, age, weight and height, and to estimate the muscularity of the speaker and whether he had a hairy chest. Men with voices in which there were closely spaced, low-frequency harmonics were judged as being more attractive, older and heavier, more likely to have a hairy chest and of a more muscular body type. There was no relationship between any vocal and body characteristic. The judges' estimates were incorrect except for weight. They showed extremely strong agreement on all judgements. The results imply that there could be sexual selection through female choice for male vocal characteristics, deeper voices being preferred. However, the function of the preference is unclear given that the estimates were generally incorrect.

Negotiating the Male Body: Men, Masculinity, and Cultural Ideals

In an attempt to understand the relationship between the body and masculinity, this paper explores the extent to which body image has significance in men's lives. I begin by considering the cultural ideal of the male body as conceived within the context of popular culture. Citing both cultural examples and empirical evidence, I argue that the muscular body type represents the dominant cultural ideal. I then explain how the present paper builds on prior research on the male body image. My argument here is that prior research has neglected to study the meaning of body image from the perspective of men's everyday lives and therefore provides an incomplete assessment of men's views of body image. In response, this paper draws from interview data compiled from a larger study, illustrating the different ways men relate to cultural ideals of male bodies, how men adjust to the demands of ideals, and how men normalize their own bodily condition. This paper suggests that men develop a number of complex strategies to negotiate the meaning of their bodies in view of cultural ideals of male physiques.