Journal of Yoga & Physical Therapy
Open Access

Abstract

Never Enough: Examining Body Image in College-Age Males

Austin Coale* and Rhea Merck

Body image issues are prevalent among college-age students. College-age males suffer from societal pressures of masculinity which manifest in different body image threats and coping strategies that focus on over-exercising and increased muscularity. This study aims to look at two distinct athletic populations of males in a college setting: yoga and weightlifting. An eleven-item survey investigated three types of coping strategies: avoidance, appearance fixing, and positive rational acceptance. Thirty males were surveyed and found that males participating in yoga reported rates of appearance fixing that were statistically significantly higher than those in the weightlifting groups. A qualitative analysis found that both groups participated in multiple workouts a day at the same rate and that both groups participated in similar athletic activities outside of their primary athletic group.

Published Date: 2021-10-30; Received Date: 2021-10-01