The effect of aerobic exercise participation on the self-concept of sedentary women.

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine what effect participation in an aerobic exercise program had on the self-concept of sedentary women. Methods of Research: Twenty female volunteers who had not engaged in regular (two times a week) physical activity in six months prior to the experiment served as subjects. Twelve females participated in the researcher's experimental eight-week aerobic exercise program. The control group was comprised of eight females who did not change their sedentary lifestyle habits. All subjects were pre-and post-tested on the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale and the Kasch Submaximal Bench Stepping Test for Healthy Middle-Aged Adults. Females participating in the aerobic exercise program were also pre-and post-tested on the YMCA bicycle ergometer test. The differences in each subject's pre-and post-test scores on the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale were calculated and the five sub-scores of self-criticism, self-satisfaction, physical self, personal self and social self were used for analysis. The step test scores were used to evaluate changes in aerobic fitness. Analysis of covariance was then performed, holding any fitness effects constant, while determining whether differences in self-concept mean changes between the experimental group and the control group existed at the .05 level of significance. Conclusions: Although self-concept differences between the two groups were found to exist at the .082 level of probability, this did not meet the earlier established level of .05 needed for statistical significance. However, based on the consistency of self-concept differences between the two groups on all sub-scores, the .08 level that was obtained and the positive written and verbal feedback by the experimental group regarding self, this study was found to have meaning on a substantive level.