Body perception by men intensely training force sports. Muscle dysmorphia cases

Abstract

In 1993, Harrison Pope et al. from Harvard Medical School described a form of muscular dysmorphia among bodybuilders and named it reverse anorexia nervosa. It is characterized by a distorted body image, the body is perceived as small, excessively frail and not muscular enough. Pertinent literature differentiates 3 basic features of muscle dysmorphia: 1. constant worrying associated with imperative need of being both slim and muscular; 2. negative attitudes towards a body appearance, anxiety and avoidance of thinking about own body; 3. coexistence of both above mentioned factors and their consequences in the person’s professional, social and other areas of functioning. The aim of this study was an analysis of own body image in men intensely practicing force sports. Our working hypothesis was, that these men may suffer muscle dysmorphia. The study encompassed 80 males from two cities (Kraoenik and Warsaw), aged 18-46; there of 43 men were in the study group and 37 men in the control group, who did not exert at the gymnasium. Study participants filled-in an Introductory Questionnaire, Stephen Franzoi Body Esteem Scale and a projection instrument – Body Image Drawing Test “Nagusek” (“Nudie”). Study results indicate that the subscale Upper Body Strength of the Body Esteem Scale (particularly such items as: muscle strength, chest, muscular mass and width of the shoulder girdle) differentiated both groups examined. Among men practicing force sports, 41.9% of the subjects presented traits of muscle dysmorphia.