Making the cut: An examination of body appreciation and well-being among female powerlifters

Abstract

In weight class sports, purposeful weight loss (PWL) is often undertaken preceding a competition to gain an advantage at a lower body weight. Researcher focus on PWL has been centered on (1) predominantly male competitors and (2) associations to physiological and performance outcomes with considerably less understanding of psychological outcomes. Moving towards a better understanding of psychological outcomes among female athletes, the purpose of this study was to examine body image and well-being in female powerlifters during a period of PWL surrounding competition. Using a non-experimental longitudinal design, female powerlifters (N = 12; Mage = 29.42 years, SDage = 9.23 years) self-reported data across five time points over 10 weeks. Athletes were asked to track weight change using self-reported of body weight. Body image was measured using the Body Appreciation Scale-2 along with a single-item indicator of both shape satisfaction and weight satisfaction. Well-being was measured using the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale. At the time of official competition weigh-in, participants lost an average of 3.44 kg of body weight (SD = 1.14 kg). Four separate pooled time series regression analyses were used to test the temporal association between weight loss and body appreciation/shape satisfaction/weight satisfaction/well-being. Body weight was a significant predictor of well-being (B = –0.19, p = < .001) and weight satisfaction (B = 0.40, p < .001). Therefore, it can be concluded that during a period of PWL, well-being and weight satisfaction improved. Current weight loss guidelines for sport include physiological considerations which may be integrated with psychological outcomes to reflect the well-being of weight class athletes.