The effects of free weights and elastic tubing resistance training on physical self-perception in adolescents

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Abstract

Objectives

While it has been suggested that resistance training may have a beneficial effect on psychological health in young people, evidence supporting this assertion is limited. The primary aim of this study was to explore the effect of free weights and elastic tubing resistance training on physical self-perception in adolescents.

Method

Participants (N = 108, mean age = 14.96 ± .68 years) were randomized to free weights (n = 37) or elastic tubing (n = 41) resistance training groups and a control group was recruited (n = 30). Participants in the resistance training groups completed workloads of 2 sets of 10–12 repetitions on 10 exercises for 8 weeks. Height and weight were measured and bioelectrical impedance analysis was used to assess body composition (body fat %). Muscular strength was assessed using 1 repetition maximum tests for bench press and leg press. Students completed the Children’s Physical Self-Perception Profile and two scales developed for the current study to assess resistance training self-efficacy and outcome expectancy.

Results

Physical self-perception remained stable among boys over the study period. Girls in the free weights resistance training group significantly increased their perceived body attractiveness (p < .01, d = .76) over the study period. The relationship between changes in body fat % and body attractiveness in girls was inverse and marginally significant (r = −.28, p < .10).

Conclusion

Resistance training programs may improve physical self-perception in adolescent girls. However, additional studies with larger sample sizes and more heterogeneous samples are required to confirm this finding.

Section snippets

Study population and design

Approval for the study was obtained from the University of Newcastle Research Ethics Committee and the school principal from one independent secondary school in Newcastle, New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Information leaflets, parental and participant consent forms were sent home with students and those who returned signed consent forms were permitted to participate in the study. Eligible participants were untrained secondary school students in years 9 and 10. Participants were ineligible if

Overview

The average age of participants was 14.96 ± .68 years. The majority of participants spoke English as their first language and were born in Australia (Table 1). Nineteen participants (18% of study sample) were overweight or obese (6 in the control group, 7 in the free weights resistance training group and 5 in the elastic tubing resistance training group). Completers are defined as study participants who attended at least 50% of sessions and attended both baseline and posttest assessments. There

Discussion

The primary aim of this study was to explore the effects of free weights and elastic tubing resistance training on physical self-perception in adolescents. Physical self-perception among boys remained stable over the study period and the only significant change among girls was among those in the free weights resistance training group, who increased their perceived body attractiveness. The secondary aim of this study was to explore the relationship between changes in health-related fitness and

Conclusions

To the authors’ knowledge this is the first study to compare the effects of free weights and elastic tubing resistance training on physical self-perception in adolescents. Our study has shown that 8 weeks of resistance training with free weights improves physical self-perception in adolescent girls. As the impact of resistance training on physical self-perception among adolescent boys was minimal, further research exploring the effects of different training protocols on psychological health is

Acknowledgements

This project was supported by a University of Newcastle Pilot Grant. The authors would like to thank Chris Smith, David Pitfield, John Pryor, John Allen, and Cayenne Sheaman for their roles in the delivery and evaluation of this project. The elastic tubing resistance tools used in this study were provided by Darren Round from Sports-Port Agencies. We would also like to thank the school and students for making this study possible.

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