The Effects of Mindful Meditation on Body Image in Female Collegiate Athletes During the Late Luteal and Early Follicular Phases of the Menstrual Cycle

<p>Body image has been studied in previous research but there is a gap in research with the consideration of body image changes during the phases of the menstrual cycle. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a mindful meditation intervention on body image during the late luteal and early follicular phases of the menstrual cycle in collegiate female athletes. Eight female collegiate athletes (age: 20.5 ± 1.8 years, height: 1.7 ± 0.1 m, weight: 62.4 ± 8.9 kg, body fat: 26.4 ± 6.9%) participated in both the control and mindful meditation intervention with each taking three weeks to complete. Body image was measured by using 3 surveys, the Self-Compassion Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the Body Appreciation Scale to compare the control to the intervention. These surveys were taken prior to each of the three weeks and at the end of the three weeks. Participants made no change to their lifestyle during the control period. During the mindful meditation intervention, participants completed the intervention with each session lasting approximately 20 minutes for five days a week for the three weeks of the intervention protocol. Each week of the control was compared to the corresponding week during the intervention for all of the surveys. There were no significant differences found in any of the surveys between the control and the intervention. Although no significant difference found, there was a trend of body image improving with the addition of mindful meditation. The results of this study along with future research in body image may help to clarify the influence of the menstrual cycle on the body image of females.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science - Kinesiology

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Kinesiology and Health Science

Year dc:date.available

2022

Author dc:creator

• Jankevicius, Katherine

Contributors dc:contributor

• Dr. Robyn Whitehead
• Dr. Todd Whitehead
• Dr. James Rowe

• body image
• exercise psychology
• Kinesiology
• Psychology of Movement

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/461

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarworks.sfasu.edu:etds-1487