Female Adolescent Athletes’ Experiences of Body Dissatisfaction Across Individual and Team Sports

There is an abundance of research explaining the physical and psychological benefits sport exercise. Some suggests exercise may act as a protective factor against body dissatisfaction for adolescent females (Fernández-Bustos et al., 2019; Soulliard al. 2019). However, it unclear if females’ experiences in specific settings contribute to perceptions about their bodies. Therefore, this study investigated perception its sociocultural influences team sports versus individual sports. Three focus groups athletes two athletes, ages 14-16 years, were conducted. The following four core themes identified around messaging related athletes’ bodies: relationships among teammates coaches, self-concept, functionality, social influence. Based on these themes, findings indicate female view helpful tool reduce or counteract dissatisfaction, particularly athletes. not entirely negative impact from normative potentially harmful messages surrounding weight image, both which are pervasive society, media, with influential individuals, such friends, family, coaches.