Abstract
M.Phil.
This study examined the relationship between perceived and observed body image of female Comrades Marathon athletes. To address this issue, 49 female Comrades Marathon athletes (mean age = 38.4) completed the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire, a standardised instrument assessing affective, cognitive, and behavioural components of appearance-related body image. Anthropometry measured body height, body weight and body fat percentage and was calculated on the basis of six skinfolds as stipulated at the Montreal Olympic Games Anthropological Project. Two groups were established and subjects were classified as underweight or normal/overweight. General findings revealed that the two groups differed only according to three variables of the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire, being fitness orientation (p-value = 0.005<0.05), health orientation (p-value = 0.029< 0.05) and self-classified weight (p-value < 0.0005). Discussion focuses on factors that could influence perceived and observed body image and the role that exercise and sport play in the formation of an athlete’s body image. Practical implications for sport psychologists and coaches who work with athletes are addressed.