Effects of a Circuit Weight Training Program on the Body Images of College Students

The present study was conducted to determine the extent to which participation in a circuit weight training program would lead to improvements in body image and physical self-efficacy, as compared to a matched control group. Thirty-nine experimental subjects participated in a 6-week circuit weight training class, while 39 subjects in a matched comparison group did not engage in any weight training. All subjects completed the Multidimensional Body Self-Relations Questionnaire, the Social Physique Anxiety Scale, and the Physical Self-Efficacy Scale at pre- and posttest points. Experimental subjects also completed tests of muscular strength and the Reasons for Exercise Inventory. The results indicated that weight lifters showed significant increases in upper- and lower-body muscular strength. At posttest, weight lifters had a significantly improved appearance related body image and physical self-efficacy, whereas the comparison group remained unchanged. Further research should investigate the application of weight training as an adjunct to therapy for body-image disturbances.