Effects of Selected Physical Activities on Global Self-Concept and Body-Cathexis Scores

Abstract

To measure the effects of participation in selected physical activities on scores of global self-concept and body-cathexis, 78 men in university physical education service classes participated 3 hours per week for 8 wk. in one of three activities: strength development, body building, or jogging for fitness. The total number of subjects was 113, with the additional 35 men serving as controls. For body-cathexis scores, significant differences were found in favor of the body-building and jogging groups as compared to those of the strength-development and control groups. On global self-concept scores, the body-building and jogging groups showed an increase on immediate retest, while the strength-development and control groups showed little change.