Physical Characteristics and Body Image of Japanese Female University Long-Distance Runners

Abstract

While female long-distance runners are considered to have strong body dissatisfaction and body concerns, body-image research that incorporates detailed anthropometric and body composition parameters is still limited. The present study therefore investigates the physical characteristics and body image of Japanese female long-distance runners and explores the factors that influence their body image. Detailed anthropometric and body composition assessment using a dual-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (DFBIA) was conducted on 30 Japanese female university long-distance runners. In addition, a questionnaire that included the Body Satisfaction Scale (BSS) and the Ben-Tovim Walker Body Attitudes Questionnaire (BAQ) was administered. On average, the participants had relatively low body mass index (BMI) and percentage body fat (%BF) (BMI: 18.3 ± 1.6 kg/m2; %BF: 19.7 ± 4.4%), but about 50–60% of them perceived themselves as being fat or having an excessive level of %BF. Their BSS scores were not associated with their measured physique. However, the anthropometric variables of the limbs were associated with the BAQ and its subscales. There was no single source that the majority referred to obtain information on their body, and performance was the only reason for their increased body concern. In order to better understand the factors that influence their body dissatisfaction and the effects of providing accurate information on behaviour modification, further investigation is warranted.

Associations between anthropometry, body composition, and body image in athletes: a systematic review

“…Height and weight were used to calculate BMI in 25 of 27 studies (92.6%), yet 22 (81.5%) reported relationships between BMI and body image. %BF was evaluated in 11 studies (40.7%); nine (33.3%) used skinfold measurements ( de Sousa Fortes et al, 2013 , 2015a , b , 2020 ; Goltz et al, 2013 ; Mockdece Neves et al, 2016 ; Hernández-Martínez et al, 2017 ; Kagawa et al, 2023 ; Salas-Morillas et al, 2023 ) to estimate %BF, while two (7.4%) utilized DXA ( Eufrásio de Medeiros et al, 2021 ; Remmel et al, 2021 ), and one (3.7%) used dual-frequency BIA (DF-BIA) ( Kagawa et al, 2023 ). A limited number of studies also assessed FFM ( Kagawa et al, 2023 ), lean body mass ( Remmel et al, 2021 ), or fat-free mass index (FFMI) ( Hernández-Martínez et al, 2017 ; Kagawa et al, 2023 ) via DF-BIA, DXA, and skinfold or DF-BIA techniques, respectively.…”

“…Eleven of the 22 studies (50.0%) assessing an aspect of negative body image had all-female participants ( Karr et al, 2013 ; Voelker et al, 2014 ; de Sousa Fortes et al, 2015b , 2020 ; Aleksic-Veljkovic and Djurovic, 2020 ; Whitehead et al, 2020 ; Eufrásio de Medeiros et al, 2021 ; Godoy-Izquierdo and Díaz, 2021 ; Remmel et al, 2021 ; Jardim et al, 2022 ; Kagawa et al, 2023 ), while four (18.2%) included only males ( Goltz et al, 2013 ; de Sousa Fortes et al, 2015a ; Hernández-Martínez et al, 2017 ; Voelker et al, 2018 ). All but one ( Remmel et al, 2021 ) of these studies reported significant positive associations between BMI, skinfolds or %BF and an aspect of body image disturbance.…”

“…Eleven studies (50%) assessed %BF or FM ( de Sousa Fortes et al, 2013 , 2015a , b , 2020 ; Goltz et al, 2013 ; Mockdece Neves et al, 2016 ; Hernández-Martínez et al, 2017 ; Eufrásio de Medeiros et al, 2021 ; Remmel et al, 2021 ; Kagawa et al, 2023 ; Salas-Morillas et al, 2023 ), using skinfolds ( de Sousa Fortes et al, 2013 , 2015a , b , 2020 ; Goltz et al, 2013 ; Mockdece Neves et al, 2016 ; Hernández-Martínez et al, 2017 ; Salas-Morillas et al, 2023 ), DXA ( Eufrásio de Medeiros et al, 2021 ; Remmel et al, 2021 ), or bioimpedance techniques ( Kagawa et al, 2023 ), and ten (90.9%) reported the results of quantitative assessments with an aspect of negative body image. Six of the 10 studies (60%) reported body fat was positively associated with body dissatisfaction and/or negative body attitudes ( de Sousa Fortes et al, 2013 , 2015a , b , 2020 ; Goltz et al, 2013 ; Eufrásio de Medeiros et al, 2021 ) in female ( de Sousa Fortes et al, 2015b , 2020 ; Eufrásio de Medeiros et al, 2021 ), male ( Goltz et al, 2013 ; de Sousa Fortes et al, 2015a ), and combined populations ( de Sousa Fortes et al, 2013 ).…”

“…Of these studies, most used skinfolds to generate estimates of %BF ( de Sousa Fortes et al, 2013 , 2015a , b , 2020 ; Goltz et al, 2013 ), while one (10%) utilized DXA ( Eufrásio de Medeiros et al, 2021 ). A smaller number of studies ( n = 3; 13.6%) assessed FFM or lean body mass, or FFMI ( Hernández-Martínez et al, 2017 ; Remmel et al, 2021 ; Kagawa et al, 2023 ). Only one (33.3%) of these three reported a significant association with an aspect of negative body image.…”

“…( Hernández-Martínez et al, 2017 ). Two studies (66.7%) reported non-significant associations between FFM and lean body mass ( Remmel et al, 2021 ; Kagawa et al, 2023 ). Notably, one of these studies also conducted a comprehensive anthropometric profile for participants, and found mixed associations of the various anthropometric indicators with negative body image attitudes ( Kagawa et al, 2023 ).…”