Body Image Among Different Levels Of Soccer Players: A Comparative Study

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Body Image Among Different Levels Of Soccer

Players: A Comparative Study

Khalid Azim Khan and Sartaj Khan

Singhania University, Rajasthan

A.M.U., Aligarh

Abstract:

The purpose of the present study was to determine the difference among Interregion, intervarsity and all India intervarsity football players on body image. 300 male 

soccer players played at different levels of soccer competitions were taken as subjects. 

The age of the subjects were ranged from 17 to 25 years. Body image of the subjects was 

determined by Singh (1991) questionnaire.One way analysis of variance was used to 

analyze the data at 5% significance level. The results of the study revealed that there was 

a significant difference among Inter-region, intervarsity and all India intervarsity soccer 

players on body image.

KEYWORDS: 

Body image, Self-image, Inter-region, All India Intervarsity, Performance.

INTRODUCTION

There are lots of meanings of body image such as how you see yourself when you look in the 

mirror or when you picture yourself in your mind, what you believe about your own appearance (including 

your memories, assumptions, and generalizations), how you feel about your body, including your height, 

shape and weight, how you sense and control your body as you move and how you feel in your body. 

Body image refers to the way  a  person  perceives  and feels  about their  body.Body image is 

developed over a lifetime and they are influenced by a range of factors, including representation in the 

media, cultural traditions, and attitudes of friends and relations.

Researchers have found that athletes report lower or similar body image compared to non-athletes 

(Anderson,  Zager,  Hetzler,  Nahikian-  Nelms,  &Syler,  1996;  Fulkerson,  Keel,  Leon,  &  Dorr,  1999; 

Hausenblas& Mack, 1999). If athletes have a more positive body image compared to non-athletes then 

examining the mediating and moderating effects for this relationship may aid in the development of body 

image interventions for nonathletic. In contrast, if athletes report greater body image disturbance compared 

to nonathletic then investigating the sociocultural influences within the athlete's environment which may 

be  perpetuating this  problem must  be  addressed  due to the serious  adverse  outcomes  of  body image 

concerns such as negative behaviors (e.g., excessive dieting and exercising, purging), attitudes (e.g., lower 

self-esteem, increased depression), and cognitions (e.g., distorted thought processes).

Davis  (1992)  investigated  the  role  of  the  body  image  and  personality  factors  among  high 

performance athletes. He concluded that a measure of subjective body size was strongly related to weight 

and dietary concern whereas emotional reactivity was found to be an independent and significant predictor 

of performance.

Other work has suggested that those who feel greater mastery and personal control over their 

bodies are likely to be more satisfied, and to feel hopeful and positive about attaining their ideal body shape 

(Furnham and Greaves, 1994).

Lots of the studies carryout todetermine the relationship between body image and psychological 

well being. They founded a positive relationship between body image and psychological well being. People

who like their appearance, health, fitness and sexual attractiveness also tend to feel happier and adjusted 

(Fallon, 1990; Friedman, 1991).

MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY

The data was taken from inter-region (n= 100, held at Kanpur), intervarsity (n= 100, held at 

Meerut) and all India intervarsity (n= 100, held at Jabalpur) soccer championships. For the purpose of the 

present study 300 male soccer players were taken as subjects. Body image was measured by using Singh 

(1991) questionnaire.