Relation of anxiety about social physique to location of participation in physical activity

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of anxiety about social physique to location of participation in physical activity. 37 nursing students completed the Social Physique Anxiety Scale and answered questions relating to the location of the physical activity in which they participated. Women were assigned to either a high- or low-anxiety group based on these scores. An examination of the reported location where participation in physical activity occurred showed that more high than low scorers reported a tendency to exercise privately than publicly; the number was higher than expected. Perhaps high scorers prefer exercise settings that provide less opportunity for their physiques to be evaluated.