My Bodybuilding Research

2008 - November

My Thesis is finally finished. Four years of study – done !!! YAHOOOO

It is entitled:
Competitive Bodybuilders and Identity – Insights from New Zealand.

On Wednesday I printed it out – just one copy nicely bound – to see what it looked like. After a few minor changes, it hit the press on Thursday and it took most of the day to print out 7 copies and get everything bound and looking okay. I had to check the pages, make sure they were all there as this is what the examiners will receive.

Then I jumped into the car, went to Palmerston North that night and delivered it to my Chief Supervisor at Massey University.

I had to sign the documentation to formally submit it, then this was signed by my Chief Supervisor. It will be signed by the HOD next week and then 4 copies will be given to the Graduate Research Office and they will send these to my examiners (these are people who are anonymous to me at this stage – but I will meet them when I do my oral exam in a few months time).

I feel so great and ready to hand this in. I feel like I have worked my hardest and there is nothing more I could have done on this research.

My plans now? These are to write some articles and do some publishing from my research. I will start this week as I have an idea already and a European Journal is calling for articles for their consideration on this topic.

I possibly will not have my oral until early next year, but hopefully this will happen promptly after Xmas, so I will now the final outcome of all my work and be able to graduate in May 2009.

2008 - July

After my first draft of my Thesis was reviewed, there were heaps of changes to be done - mainly to change how it was structured. This has taken ages to do, but finally I have thrashed out some new Chapters.

They include:

Who are the Bodybuilders of New Zealand? (a demographic overview)

Why do people become bodybuilders and what does being a bodybuilder mean to them

How do people become bodybuilders. This talks about what it is like starting as a novice, and then becoming more experienced. The things that you learn about being a bodybuilder.

How being a Bodybuilder functions with your everyday life - This Chapter talks about things like juggling family life, work and bodybuilding. How people cope  etc etc.

Why people give up bodybuilding? - and what happens to life then?

So that is where things are at with my research.

My Supervisors at Massey University are currently reading through all this. I have just sent it off to them - yahoo!

While I await their comments, I have started the conclusion chapter.

Wow - there is something absolutely wonderful about writing this part - "The Conclusion". Not only do you feel like you are finally able to draw all your research together (the end is in sight!), you feel an immense sense of satisfaction.

Doing this study/research is balanced amongst my 'job' - to pay the bills I run my own business from home. Clients, study, training and life generally has to be balanced ....some days are better than others.

Here is my office!

 

 2008 - April

I have finally finished my first complete draft of my Thesis. It is so good to see the document taking shape.

After ages of just writing and writing it is actually coming together. It is now in the hands of my Supervisors who will read it and give me some critcial feedback, plus I will still have heaps of things to finish. I have only started the rough outline of the conclusion - so that final section will be added.

Below: My draft Thesis - front (below) and (next photo down) its side view (i.e. looking this fat so far!)

I also presented at the Massey University Conference about competitive bodybuilding last week - focusing mostly on the preparation process for competition and also some of the risks and extremes experienced by participants, and their perceptions of thos practices.

However I also wanted to say that pushing the body during that 12-week period - extending the self in this way - also enables BB'ers to feel tough and that the pre-competitive process is important for bodybuilders as a means to demonstrate their discipline, commitment and ability to stick with a goal - no matter how hard it gets along the way. This is what defines a bodybuilder - and distinguishes them from people who simply work out in the gym but don't compete.

2008 - Progress to March

Currently I am writing my Thesis. All my research work is done, it is just writing the documetn I have to complete.

It is a big job but I am determined to have the first complete draft done by the end of this month. 

Other than a few trips away e.g. to the Elite Comp in March, my daily workouts and some commercial work (to pay my power bill and keep the debtors at bay etc) it is nose to the grind stone.

At the end of March I am also presenting some of my results at a sports conference at Massey University. This will be my first presentation. The paper I am presenting is called: Roids, Rage and Risk: The healthy/unhealthy practices of competitive bodybuilders.

2007 in Review

It has been a busy year - writing my Thesis - gosh - I am STILL GOING ! People asked me - haven't you finished YET?!

The target is to have it written by March 08.

Currently I am writing up all the interviews - analysing them and working out some theories and themes.

I have had some articles published:

1.Searching for an Appropriate Research Design - Was published in an International Research Journal. It talks about my Thesis methodology

 jrp.icaap.org/index.php/jrp/article/view/24/70

2. NZ Bodybuilder Identities: Beyond Homogeneity - Was Published in the International Review for The Sociology of Sport. It presents some of my results from my survey I did on NZ bodybuilders in 2005.

irs.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/42/1/5

3.Forthcoming: The Fine Line: The risky practices of Bodybuilders: Talks about health and risks which bodybuilders take. This will be published early next year in an Australasian Journal

4. Forthcoming: NZ Bodybuilders and Gender: A Chapter which I have co-authored. It will be released in a book on women in sport in NZ.

 I am keen to do a follow up BB survey - I was hoping to do one in 2007 - but time has raced by. I would love to do one in 2008. - Stay posted.

 

2007 - the Year to date

This year I am working through all the data I have collected and writing my Thesis. There is so much data and so much to write !

I am also writing articles for journals - mostly academic ones.  I have already submitted some articles to the publishers and I am waiting to hear back concerning whether they have been accepted.

I will hopefully also be contributing to a chapter in a new book about Sport in New Zealand. It will be awesome to get bodybuilding in there amongst the likes of rugby and netball.

A 2007 Bodybuilder survey is also on the cards for this year. Its results may not be included in my Thesis - but I enjoy researching bodybuilding and hopefully it will be a success.  It will be designed as an on-line survey. As with all my research, results will be made public and freely available for bodybuilders to access.

Background - About My PhD Research about NZ Bodybuilders

Contents:
About my research
My Topic
Who can be involved?
Research components (already completed)
-  the survey
- interviews

Research outcomes
-  What can you access now?
-  The PhD Thesis

My thanks !

I am a doctorate (PhD) student enrolled at Massey University who is researching competitive bodybuilding in New Zealand.The purpose of this web site is to enable bodybuilders, organisations and associations interested in bodybuilding to follow my progress and findings.

I decided to research competitive bodybuilding because as a bodybuilder myself, it is of great personal interest and I am also aware that little research has been done on this subject in New Zealand.

It is a major study that will take me approximately 3 years to complete and I started in November 2004.

My Topic

I am interested in finding out from competitive bodybuilders:

• How bodybuilding has influenced the type of person they have become.
• How the type of person they are has also potentially influenced their bodybuilding journey.

 
Specifically, my study investigates the relationship between the experiences of competitive bodybuilders and their personal “identity”.

So, if you are a NZ bodybuilder – I welcome your interest, involvement and participation in my research.

Who can be involved?

I am keen to involve all types of bodybuilders in my research: • People training for their first bodybuilding competition. • Active competitors. • People who have competed in the past, but are no longer competing.
I would like to include bodybuilders from a range of backgrounds:

• Male and female.
• Novice and experienced bodybuilders.
• Varying ages.
• From differing locations - Auckland to Invercargill, city and rural, North and South Island of New Zealand.
• Varying body types e.g. highly muscular, less muscular or a body work-in-progress; Physique, figure, athletic, shape or fitness.

Finally it is important that my research captures the broad spectrum of authentic experiences, including both “positive” and “not so positive” experiences of bodybuilders.

Your involvement and participation is welcome!

Research Components (already completed)

These have included:
1.     A national survey of bodybuilders in New Zealand (2005).
2.     Interviews with bodybuilders about their experiences and life story (2006).

1. The NZ Bodybuilding Survey (conducted in 2005)

This was a postal survey of competitive bodybuilders throughout New Zealand.

Questions included:

• Demographics eg age, gender, location, occupation.
• Training regime.
• Supplement use.
• Sources of bodybuilding information.
• Body weight changes – "competition" verses "off-season".
• Feedback and views on a range of issues e.g. body satisfaction, response of friends and family to bodybuilding, opinions on steroid use and cosmetic surgery.

You can download the survey form from here.

Results have been posted at the bottom of this page

2. Bodybuilder Interviews (conducted in 2006)

Although the survey provided some terrific information about bodybuilding in New Zealand, to really understand the experiences of competitive bodybuilders, it was important that I heard first hand, what it was like to compete, and how it has impacted on their lives.

These interviews were confidential and undertaken on an individual basis. I interviewed approx. 30 bodybuilders through the country.

In addition to my research, I have been attending some of the bodybuilding events throughout the country. Although I am not currently competing, I still live a bodybuilder lifestyle and have a genuine interest in the activity.


Research Outcomes

What can you access now? 

Feel free to download the results from my survey work. There are heaps of report summaries at the bottom of this page.

My Thesis (targeted for completion at the end of 2007)

The outcome of all of this work will be a large piece of research (my thesis) which I need to produce for the academic community. I will be assessed on this document by a panel of experts, and will hopefully be awarded a PhD.

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is awarded to students who write a thesis that demonstrates they have undertaken research at an advanced level in a particular field of study.

I also plan to publish some of my findings in the form of short articles for academic journals as well as mainstream magazines.

My Thanks

Finally, I wish to recognise the hard work of bodybuilders throughout New Zealand and the dedication it takes to compete. Beneath every competitor there is a personal and challenging journey which has been undertaken.

My special thanks to the bodybuilders who have decided to participate in my research and in so doing, provide insights of their lives.

I am indebted to the efforts of NABBA and the NZFBB – both associations have been very supportive of my studies and indeed, the future of bodybuilding in New Zealand.

Without all of you my research would not be possible. So feel free to check out my site on a regular basis.

You can sign up for updates here. And if you are a bodybuilder, you are most welcome to join in my research or make contact.