Abstract
Previous research has suggested that female exercisers have a more positive reflection of their body image than non-exercisers (Furnham, Titman, & Sleeman, 1994) and avid exercisers report higher levels of self-efficacy in comparison to non-exercisers (Rodgers & Sullivan, 2001). The present study aimed to extend current literature by examining the influence of a female's exercise experience on her efficacy beliefs and body image perceptions as suggested within the applied model of imagery use in exercise (Munroe-Chandler & Gammage, 2005). Female exercisers (N = 300, Mage = 34.2 years) completed an efficacy belief questionnaire and the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (Cash, 2000). Using a tertile split, participants were grouped into three levels of experience, with the extreme groups reflecting less (n = 100, < 2 years) or more (n = 108, > 10 years) experience. A multivariate analysis of variance revealed significant differences between the two extreme groups on efficacy beliefs (F = 5.19 (4, 203), p <.05) and perceptions of body image (F = 4.25 (4, 203), p <.05). Specifically, more experienced exercisers reported higher confidence towards their exercise behaviour than less experienced exercisers. Additionally, more experienced exercisers reported more positive feelings of attractiveness/satisfaction with their looks and higher fitness orientation. Results from this study can be extended to interventions aimed at improving less experienced exercisers' confidence and body image cognitions.
