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| Mental Toughness and Competitive Bodybuilders - 8th July 2008 07:29pm
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What is mental toughness?
One thing which has emerged in my research of competitive bodybuilders is that a lot of people I interviewed talked about the need for mental toughness.
The pre-comp process was hard going – a real test - sticking to the diet, battling fatigue and the temptation to just lie on the couch in the evening and not get on that bike and do your cardio. A lot came down to mental toughness or inner strength of the person to continue. It would be so easy to give up – and so many people probably do.
People who make it to stage – often spoke about how they felt much tougher having been through the process. They didn’t realize how strong they really were.
The average non-competitive bodybuilder can make excuses why they may go off their diet for a meal – or not make it to the gym that day. Sometimes, to the competitive bodybuilder these can seem like weak excuses - But then I guess people who aren’t training for a comp can allow for times like this (so why make your life a misery!)
Mental toughness is a relatively new area of sport research. So the feedback from bodybuilders is really interesting.
I found another study which involved ten people from a range of sports (e.g. from swimming, running, golf, rugby …but no bodybuilders!). They were asked to define mental toughness. This is what they said:
Mental toughness is....
1. Having an unshakeable self-belief in your ability to achieve your competitive goals.
2. Bouncing back from performance set backs as a result of increased determination to succeed.
3. Having an unshakeable self-belief that you possess unique qualities and abilities that make you better than your opponents.
4. Have an insatiable desire and internalized motives to succeed.
5. Remaining fully focused on the task at hand in the face of competition-specific distractions.
6. Regaining psychological control following unexpected, uncontrollable events.
7. Pushing back the boundaries of physical and emotional pain, while still maintaining technique and effort under distress (in training and competition).
8. Accepting that competition anxiety is inevitable and knowing that you can cope with it.
9.Thriving on the pressure of competition.
10. Not being adversely affected by others’ good and bad performances.
11. Remaining fully focused in the face of personal life distractions.
12. Switching a sport focus on and off as required.
Source: Jones, G (2002): What is this thing called mental toughness? An investigation of elite sports performers. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology 14. p 205-218
What are your views on what these athletes had to say?
Do any or all of their ideas relate to competitive bodybuilding?
Are there other definitions of mental toughness that relate to competitive bodybuilders which they have not included?
How important is mental toughness to competitive bodybuilders?
Are competitive bodybuilders tougher (mentally) than many other people?
If you have comments or feedback on this issue, feel free to email me. My details on the the home page of this site. |
 How important is mental toughness to craft a competitive physique? |
| Personality characteristics associated with beginning, intermediate and competitive bodybuilders - 6th April 2008 07:31am
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Personality characteristics associated with beginning, intermediate and competitive bodybuilders
another personality test …..
Here is another old study I found which may be of interest.
In 1981, researchers compared the personality characteristics of three groups of bodybuilders, plus a fourth group (who were non-bodybuilders).
These groups were as follows:
Group one: Beginner bodybuilders - these were students who had just started lifting weights – i.e. not competitive bodybuilders or experienced in the gym
Group two: Intermediate bodybuilders - they had been working out for a minimum of 18 months, and had good muscular development but did not compete.
Group three: Competitive bodybuilders
There was also a fourth group – 49 people who did not do any weight training nor were serious athletes.
All participants in this research project did a Personality Test (the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule). This comprises an evaluation of 15 personality variables such as achievement, dominance, aggression, receptiveness to change etc.
In terms of outcomes, it showed that bodybuilders were pretty normal. The results of all the groups were very similar. Competitive bodybuilders did not have extreme personalities. This finding contrasts with some views that competitive bodybuilders have extreme personalities with unique characteristics (often for negative reasons).
However what the researchers did discover was that those who were more highly trained/focused in bodybuilding i.e. the Intermediate and competitive bodybuilders tested more highly on the achievement/motivation scale. They were also less open to change.
The researchers said in their conclusion:
"The subjects in this study who were the most highly involved in bodybuilding training seemed to be highly motivated by a need to achieve and fairly resistant to change in their daily routines” (p. 9)
These types of outcomes reflect similarity with some of the statements I have picked up in my discussions with NZ competitive bodybuilders.
To be a bodybuilder – to compete – you need to have immense drive and be very goal focused.
You also need to be committed to achieving that goal – and this requires unwavering dedication to maintaining your regime and somehow staying on track (diet, training) despite all the obstacles that work, life and relationships throw up and also the physical, mental and emotional challenges you face along the way.
If you have some views on this, feel free to email me.
Source: Thirer & Thirer (1981) Personality Characteristics Associated with Beginning, Intermediate and Competitive Bodybuilders. Journal of Sport Behavior 4 (1), p. 3-11 |
 Motivated achieving personalities .... |
| The Personality of a Competitive Bodybuilder - 25th February 2008 07:48pm
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Personality Factors of Competitive Bodybuilders Verses Competitive Weight Lifters
This is an old study I found (undertaken back in 1972) but it is quite interesting.
The personality profiles of 22 Competitive Male Bodybuilders and 30 Competitive Weightlifters were compared. The personality test included 16 variables:
1. Sociability
2. Intelligence
3. Emotional Stability
4. Dominance
5. Surgency
6. Conscientiousness
7. Adventurousness
8. Realism
9. Suspicion
10. Imaginativeness
11. Shrewdness
12. Insecurity
13. Willingness to Accept Change
14. Self-sufficiency
15. Self-control
16. Tension
To cut along story short, basically they found the bodybuilders and weightlifters to be very similar. But there were a few differences between each other and also how they stacked up relative to the normal population.
The bodybuilders tended to be silent, introspective and sober (these outcomes related to 5 and 9 above).
The weightlifters tended to be independent, aggressive and stubborn (these related to 4 & 9 above).
The researchers said that both sporting groups were inclined to be self-opinionated, unconcerned about other people and were poor team members.
But other than that, they were pretty similar to each other and actually quite normal or average in their personalities (relative to the normal population base).
Source: Darden, E (1972). Sixteen Personality Factor Profiles of Competitive Bodybuilders and Weightlifters. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport. 43.2 p. 142-147.
PS: In my study of New Zealand bodybuilders I will be commenting on personality and personal identity.
This will not be in the same way as these types of clinical assessments or personality tests (such as above), but through some of the descriptions and views expressed by bodybuilders I have interviewed. However I will be relating them to, and commenting on these studies.
So if you have some views having read the above study, that you wish to share with me, then feel free to email me.
Are competitive bodybuilders a different or special breed or have a type of personality? Let me know your thoughtsl ! |
 Bodybuilders - are we a different breed? What ypes of personality do we have? |
| Who Uses Steroids? - 17th November 2007 05:59pm
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A recent survey of 1955 US men who participated in an on-line survey highlighted some interested findings in terms of steroid use:
Age and marital status: The average AAS user was 31.1 yrs – median age was 29 years. Most were white/Caucasian. About half had never been married.
Education and Employment: The group was well educated and employed full time (77.7%).
User Perceptions: Users identified themselves as being driven, motivated, competitive and focused on goal achievement.
AAS Use:
Single ester testosterones, methandrostenolone and nandrolone decanoate were most commonly used agents and single and multi-ester testosterones were rated most effective/useful.
Average total dose was 500-1000mg/week.
Many purchased AAS via the internet.
Reasons for use:
Major: Increased muscle mass, strength, enhancing physical appearance.
Other relevant but less highly rated reasons included: confidence, decreased fat, improved moods and sexual attraction, injury prevent, endurance etc.
Only 6.3% cited professional bodybuilding as a very important motivator.
Older AAS users were more motivated by decreasing fat.
Other demographics:
The average age of starting use was 25-26 yrs.
Most users worked out with weights 4-5 days per week and users averaged 11 yrs of weight training.
Cycling of AAS
There was variation in cycling –participants reports ranged from 1 week to 728 weeks, with a median of 11 weeks.
The average year included 4 to 6 months of use.
Most users planned their cycles –(i.e. length/dosage/compounds) – prior to commencement.
95% injected. Injectable AAS were preferred over orals compounds by the majority (77%).
61% had their blood checked (medical) at least once per year to assess their physical health.
Source: Cohen, J., Collins, R, Darkes, J & Gwartney, D (2007): A League of their Own: Demograohics, motivations and patterns of use of 1,955 male adult non-medical anabolic steroid-users in the United States. International Society of Sports Nutrition 4 (12)
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| Does Age make a difference? - 3rd September 2007 08:56am
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The recent programme on Prime TV showcased some ‘bodybuilding pensioners’. The documentary also said that internationally bodybuilding was becoming a growth sport/activity for the older generation.
In New Zealand this may also be occurring.
In 2005 when I did a survey of New Zealand bodybuilders, 70% of respondents were aged between 30 and 50 years. Demographically, the age break-down was similar for men and women.
The survey also contained a series of statements and bodybuilders could indicate whether they agreed or not with them.
I split the bodybuilder responses into two groups – bodybuilders over 40 years (the ‘older’ group) and those less than 40 years (the ‘younger’ group). This grouping was formed because they were of comparable size which was useful for statistical purposes – not because I think 40 years suddenly equates to old age (I am over 40 year myself!).
The mean scores of these two groups were then compared in terms of their statement rankings. Some differences were detected.
The older bodybuilders perceived bodybuilding more as an integral part of their lifestyle than the younger bodybuilders.
Older bodybuilders also associated bodybuilding more strongly with a sense of feeling in control of their lives. During the pre-comp phase older bodybuilders felt more in control of their emotions than the younger bodybuilders.
Older bodybuilders perceived bodybuilding in a healthier light than the younger bodybuilders. And relative to others of similar age, they felt physically more superior.
Younger participants conversely, were more open to the possibility that if they could eat junk food all day and still achieve the same lean muscular look, they would!
Now I am not saying that these conditions and changes are because the bodybuilder is older – experience and greater involvement in bodybuilding may also play a role. However, the results may be of interest to you.
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 A growth sport for the older generation? NZ Bodybuilding men - over 50 years - looking awesome. |
| Muscle Dysmorphia - 27th July 2007 05:44pm
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Currently I am reading some of the studies which have been done on muscular dysmorphia – this topic has a particular relevance to bodybuilders.
Competitive bodybuilders, it is argued, are sometimes afflicted with this condition, or are ‘at risk’ of getting it.
I certainly don’t consider myself an expert on the subject, but I wanted to share some of my readings, as well as thoughts and impressions on this condition, and also welcome your feedback, as bodybuilders.
Muscle dysmorphia is a condition which Prominent Harvard Psychiatrist Harrison Pope and his colleagues identified in young male steroid users in the early 1990’s. It was initially called reverse anorexia mainly because instead of trying to become small and thin, the men were identified as preoccupied with not being big and muscular enough. They perceived themselves as small despite already being muscular. They exercised excessively, hid their bodies and wore bulky clothing.
The condition has been aligned to bodybuilders, especially steroid using bodybuilders. It has been described as a body disorder because the sufferer is regarded as being unable to see his or her own body for what it really is. Clinicians describe the muscular dysmorphic individual as having an intense dissatisfaction with an imaged defect in appearance – a misperception of the body. There is concern for bodybuilders who are considered more at risk of muscular dysmorphia than many other groups.
But how are clinicians and the medical industry assessing muscle dysmorphia?
How can they tell a bodybuilder has this condition, or what makes them say that a particular bodybuilder is ‘afflicted’ with this condition?
These are some of the questions I ask myself as I read this literature.
Perusing some of the studies, there doesn’t seem to be a common method of diagnosis – but usually the assessment is based on how bodybuilders have completed survey questionnaires.
An assessment procedure which seems to be amongst the most highly regarded has developed a questionnaire where participants score themselves on 40 questions in 6 key areas, on a scale from 1-6 i.e. Always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never.
To give you a taste, it includes the following key areas and types of questions against which to rank oneself:
Body Size
e.g. I feel satisfied (or not) with the shape of my body
Physique protection
e.g. I wear bulky clothing to hide my physique from others
Exercise dependence
e.g. I maintain a strict workout schedule
Supplement Use
e.g. Before working out I consume energy drinks
Dietary behaviour
e.g. I regulate my caloric intake to maximize muscular development
NB: The questionnaire may also ask about steroid use.
In one study outcome, bodybuilders scored higher than power lifters on the assessment.
In a different study – using another type of questionnaire, competitive bodybuilders were found to be more at risk than non-competitive bodybuilders in terms of muscular dysmorphia.
My impression is that these assessments tend to adopt a perspective which compares bodybuilders to normal people and/or clinical standards. They do not seem to consider the types of behaviours which take place within a certain subculture, like bodybuilding. Let’s face it, body builders have certain ways of looking and thinking about their bodies, ways of eating, commitments to exercise and working out, reasons for showing or hiding their bodies, which by ‘normal’ standards may seem quite odd, but have particular relevance and meaning to bodybuilders. These clinical assessments do not seem to accommodate this type of unique difference. Instead, they appear to adopt the position that difference from clinical or mainstream norms/behaviours are considered an illness - a person is afflicted with problems. In other words, they are people who are of medical and/or psychological concern.
It may well be that there are bodybuilders who really do need help with body image issues – including those aligned with muscularity. But I also think those studying and developing such tests for muscular dysmorphia could also benefit from listening to, and try to understand and accommodate perspectives and interpretations from a bodybuilder perspective.
Well that is my impression and view to date – but what is yours?
What is your view on muscular dysmorphia?
Does it exist from a bodybuilder perspective?
And if so:
What are the key deciding factors which in your mind, separates bodybuilders who have muscular body image problems (and are in real need of help) from other types of muscular bodybuilders who are just trying to evolve their muscular potential.
Can female bodybuilders suffer from muscular dysmorphia? The clincial studies seem to think it is essentially a male condition.
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 Does muscle dysmorphia exist from a bodybuilder perspective? |
| Motivations for Steroid Use by BB'ers - 19th June 2007 01:46pm
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Motivations for anabolic steroid use amongst bodybuilders – a UK Study
I am aware that steroid use and drug testing is a hotly debated issue in New Zealand bodybuilding. It was a key topic raised by bodybuilders during interviews, and I am, and continue to be, interested learning about the reasons why bodybuilders elect or chose not to pursue chemical enhancement in relation to their bodies.
Currently I am reviewing the various studies on bodybuilding I have collected from around the world, conducted by academics. This UK study, published in 2000, may be of some interest.
It investigated motivations for steroid use. Participants included both competitive and non-competitive bodybuilders, as well as non-steroid users.
A questionnaire was developed around steroid use. The researchers developed this questionnaire after discussions with several steroid users. It was placed in two bodybuilding magazines and 135 completed questionnaires were submitted.
44% of respondents had used steroids.
Of the steroid users:
· Men were more likely than women to report use.
· All reported cycling steroid use with the average cycle lasting 9 weeks.
· 92% reported stacking steroids – with a maximum of 15 steroids taken at the same time, and an average of 4.
· The average age at which they started taking steroids was 26yrs, and the mean length of time for use was 4 yrs.
· 42% had entered a bodybuilding competition
· 26% were planning to compete.
Relative to non-steroid users:
· Steroid users were significantly heavier (M= 205.80 v 180.60 lb)
· Steroid users had started weight training earlier in their lives (M= 20.5 V 24.4 yrs)
Reasons for Steroid Use:
· Wanting to get bigger/ more muscular – most frequent reason
· When asked how they felt about their body - 53% of steroid users said they felt good/better about their body.
· 17% said they wanted to get bigger quicker
· 14% said they started to take steroids when gains by weight training stopped.
Main motivations:
· Wanting to excel at bodybuilding competitions
· Wanting to be more muscular
· Feelings of enhanced confidence.
Non-Steroid Users were more likely than steroid users, to report that training had improved feelings of fitness.
Non-competitive bodybuilders who used steroids appeared to share many commonalities with competitive bodybuilders who took steroids. They appeared motivated primarily by a desire to increase muscle mass, to enhance appearance and confidence.
Source: Wright, S; Grogan, S; Hunter, G. Motivations for Anabolic Steroid Use Among Bodybuilders. Journal of Health Psychology Vol 5 (4) p. 566-571
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| Are you addicted to BB'ing? - 18th May 2007 12:47pm
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Bodybuilders, addiction and excessive commitment
Participating in sport and fitness is encouraged.
After all, it is good for you - not only on physical grounds but mentally and in terms of having a good balanced life.
But can there be too much of a good thing? Can people become too obsessive? Too dedicated? Put too much time into a sport?
In the survey I sent out to NZ competitive bodybuilders in 2005, I provided a list of 36 statements – and respondents were able to say whether they agreed with them or not.
The most supported statement was “I believe I have a balanced outlook on health and fitness”.
The fourth highest supported statement was “I consider I have a balanced lifestyle”.
In 2006 I interviewed 30 bodybuilders, and the vast majority seem to run pretty frantic lives. Often rising at unthinkable hours – squeezing in workouts, preparing meals, working to schedules ….is this Life Balance? Or do bodybuilders just lead very full-on lives governed by incredible Time Management?
Some bodybuilders described themselves as addicted to the gym and to the BB’er lifestyle. Some acknowledged they lives weren’t balanced at all. They made extensive sacrifices to compete or revolved their lives around bodybuilding. But it was what they wanted to do. They enjoyed it. They were driven characters, often quite competitive – and sometimes people who are driven are also those who are more successful.
Other bodybuilders I interviewed believed that it was easy to become too ‘obsessed’ with bodybuilding. People can get too extreme, make it ‘their life’ and this isn’t really that healthy - one can lose perspective.
So those were some of the varying perspectives. What are your thoughts and what is your assessment of your own life balance?
Academics have written about sport, commitment and addiction. There are some good studies on this topic concerning runners. There are debates about the positive and negative aspects of being so committed to a sport.
The positives include: developing and advancing athletic skills, the social interactions from sport and the confidence which can come from such involvement and achievement.
The negatives include having a limited life focus (so in event of injury, or not being able to compete, the impacts can be more sever), the social and emotional risks of tying up so many hopes, dreams and aspirations into a single life sphere as well as the physical risks such as excessive training.
Some researchers also use surveys to find out how important a sport is to an athlete. Here are some of the types of questions they ask – and I have amended them slightly to include the word “bodybuilder”:
How closely do these statements reflect you?
- I consider myself a bodybuilder.
- I have many goals related to bodybuilding.
- Most of my friends are bodybuilders.
- Bodybuilding is the most important part of my life.
- I spend more time thinking about bodybuilding than anything else.
- I need to participate in bodybuilding to feel good about myself.
- Other people see me mainly as a bodybuilder.
- I feel badly about myself when I do poorly in bodybuilding.
- Bodybuilding is the only thing in my life.
- I would be very depressed if I were injured and could not compete in bodybuilding.
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| Are Bodybuilders at risk for an eating disorder? - 25th April 2007 04:18pm
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Are bodybuilders at risk for an eating disorder?
During my interviews with NZ bodybuilders a number discussed the presence or possibility of eating disorders in the sport. The novice, female – especially figure competitors - and those with a pre-existing tendency towards eating disorders were highlighted as being potentially more at risk. And although it was more linked to women than men, men were still considered vulnerable. Some questioned whether bodybuilding was also being used more as a weight control mechanism than an activity centring around the appreciation of the muscle. As much as there are pleasures associated with the sport – maybe these are some of its syndromes or dark sides.
Not much has been written about bodybuilders and eating disorders in academic literature – at least not from the perspective of bodybuilders themselves. I was fortunate, not only to have people I interviewed share their views, but also meeting some NZ bodybuilders who were wonderfully open enough to acknowledge their own experiences of eating disorders, unhealthy weight practices and battles with bulimia.
A review of eating related disturbance studies amongst bodybuilders by Canadian –based scholars Goldfield, Harper & Blouin (1998) described a list of 13 studies. They state:
The majority of these studies (8 of the 10) indicate that strict dieting and eating related disturbance are common among male bodybuilders. In 4 of the 5 studies, male bodybuilders reported significantly more sever body image disturbance, abnormal eating attitudes and behaviour, or both, in comparison to athletic control groups. In addition 4 other studies that did not include athletic comparison groups also reported disturbances in body image and self-esteem as well as strict dieting, binge eating, pathogenic methods of weight control, weight cycling and psychological distress manifested in anger, anxiety and short temper.
Having perused the list of studies they reviewed however, what struck me was that many of these studies were talking about the pre-comp dieting rituals of bodybuilders – which to many non-bodybuilders would undoubtedly appear disordered and disturbed and reflective of unhealthy, extreme dieting. But to bodybuilders they are often part of the sport – a necessary evil if one’s wants to get ripped for competition.
Many bodybuilders I interviewed pointed out the important distinction between the extremes of comp eating and dieting and those of the off-season which tend to be a lot more relaxed and conducive to general health.
But it is often during this time that many said bodybuilders struggle with the transition of eating and weight control. Many felt it was at this off-season time that some bodybuilders were at most risk of developing eating disorders.
- How to eat ‘normally’ without guilt.
- Dealing with notions of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ foods.
- How to live life when the eating restrictions and controls come off.
- Trying to retain that unsustainable, perfect very low fat body in the off-season.
I have been reading studies about eating disorders in other sports. Runners, ballet dancers and gymnasts have also been identified as sports where eating disorders exist. Many emphasize, as does bodybuilding, the importance of aesthetics or a lean body image.
After my first competition I found it difficult to establish a healthy off-season eating pattern. Now ‘eating clean’ is normal practice year-round for me – but that certainly hasn’t always been the case. I binged and experienced guilt from eating non-clean foods.
My bodybuilder interviews last year highlighted that many bodybuilders go through this – men and women - especially to start with. Eventually, many, like me, get over it or work through it. But if it continues long term, then I would suggest reach out, talk to someone, get help and support. You may be surprised how many other bodybuilders can relate to your experiences and plight.
Check out resources on web sites such as Bodybuilding .com. They may also be of some help and support.
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 A candidate shot of my fridge today - eggs, tuna, veges....but that hasn't always been the case. |
| NZ Research. Pre-Comp Risks, discomforts and sacrifices - 18th March 2007 12:15pm
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Pre-competition risks, discomforts and sacrifices of NZ BB’ers.
The survey of NZ BB’ers in 2005 and the BB’er interviews 2006 highlighted that although bodybuilding can be pleasurable and rewarding, it is not without various risks, discomforts to human function and sacrifices. Some possible and potential impacts raised by NZ BB’ers which they experienced during the pre-competition phase are listed below.
· Physical injury e.g. over-training, poor technique, ego-injuries (lifting too much weight etc)
· Fatigue – Feeling tired, unable to function physically and mentally as a result of intense dieting and lots of cardio. It was often hard to think. Simply tasks requiring energy e.g. walking the dog, making the bed seemed like huge tasks.
· Mental tasks became hard – especially due to lack of carbs. Simply tasks such as driving became hard and more dangerous. Work performance was sometimes affected.
· Feeling cold – due to low body fat (some BB’ers mentioned they needed electric blankets for the first time).
· Sleep – some found it hard to sleep when hungry. (Others reported they were glad to hit the sack !)
· Moodiness – mood swings, getting angry or upset easily, becoming paranoid, super sensitive and very inwardly focused.
· Social Impacts – Pre-competition often impacted on relationships, work, friends, hobbies and general interaction. Often BB’ers avoided social functions that involved food. The pre-competition regime can be hard on some relationships.
· Body/mental games/body image – The physical changes and pressures during pre-competition can have its ups and downs with respect to how BB’er feel about their bodies.
· Drugs, types of diets, vitamin deficiencies, combinations and amounts of supplements – a variety of opinions were shared by BB’ers concerning risks to health concerning these items etc. There was a range of views.
In summary, the pre-comp phase is hard work. Crafting a physique for BB’ing competition is rewarding not without risks, sacrifices and discomforts. It can be one of the hardest thing people have done. It tests personal capabilities. As a result BB’ers often reported they felt stronger and empowered for the experience. There is value and meaning in the experience.
Currently I am writing an article about this for potential publication.
In the meantime here is an American study which was undertaken in 1993 which may be of interest. Researchers tracked male and female bodybuilders during their 12-week pre-comp regime in terms of their physical and mental state. A summary is provided.
Changes in Psychological State and Self-Reported Diet during Various Phases of Training in Competitive Bodybuilders.
Newton, L; Hunter, G; Bammon, M; Roney, R. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 1993, 7(3), 153-158
Abstract: This study monitored psychological state, diet and body composition of male and female bodybuilders (BB) as they prepare for a state championship.
Psychological tests administered over 12 weeks reflected trends for the BB to become more fatigued, depressed, tense, confused and less vigorous across time.
Three-day dietary profiles indicated that daily caloric intake decreased for both sexes. Percentage of calories from carbohydrate, fat and protein were similar for both; carbohydrate changed little, but percentage of fat decreased and protein increased as competition neared.
Because BBers took supplements, the RDA was exceeded for the nine vitamins and minerals analyzed. Vitamin and mineral intake determined for food alone indicated that males were above 70% of RDA for all vitamins and minerals except calcium and zinc 1 week prior to competition. Females were below 70% RDA throughout the study for folacin, vitamin E, calcium, potassium and zinc.
The results indicate that BB reduced percent fat to very low levels while consuming a low calorie, low fat, high protein diet but such an intense regimen may adversely affect psychological state.
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 Preparing abody for competition is hard work. What are some of the risks, sacrifices and discomforts that BB'ers go through? |
| March Snippets - 8th March 2007 12:14pm
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Other Snippets from the Web
Contents:
1. Supplement companies face major fines for Weight Loss Pill claims which don’t stack up.
The Federal Trade Commission has announced it will be fining the marketers of the following weight loss drugs a collective $25m for false advertising: Xenadrin, EFX, Cortislim, One-A-Day, Weight Smart and TrimSpa. Click here for more
http://www.getbig.com/news/2007/01/20070104ftc.htm
2. If you think muscly women are just a recent phenomenon? Check out these gals of steel from history !
http://www.fscclub.com/strength/steel-e.shtml
3. International Research Finding: A combination of aerobic, anaerobic, and strength training more beneficial in improving body image in Women than either aerobic exercise alone or no exercise.
The purpose of this study was to study the effect of aerobic and interval circuit training on fitness and body image among women. Seventy-two college females were assessed for physical fitness and in relation to nine body image components (which were defined in a Body Self-Image Questionnaire.
Participants were then allocated to one of three exercise programs over a 12 week period:
a. Aerobic exercise training
b. Interval circuit training (i.e combined aerobic, anaerobic and strength training) or
c. No vigorous exercise (control group).
The results indicated significantly improved fitness scores for the aerobics/strength circuit training group.
In terms of body image the interval circuit training group experienced the greatest improvement, specifically in overall appearance evaluation, health/fitness evaluation & health/fitness influence.
It was concluded that an interval program of aerobic, anaerobic, and strength training is more beneficial in improving body image than either aerobic exercise alone or no exercise
The authors said:
“Participants who trained for 12 weeks using a combination of aerobic, anaerobic, and strength circuit training improved in several components of body image and on selected features of physical fitness. Greater improvements were made by the combination group than by those who trained only aerobically. The control group did not improve during the 12 weeks in body image or in physical fitness. Taken together, it appears that exercise has a positive effect on the body image of college-aged women. Although aerobic exercise has been found to be beneficial in improving some components of body image, apparently a circuit training program of aerobic, anaerobic, and strength intervals may elicit more positive changes in both physical and psychological parameters than no regular exercise or aerobic exercise only.”
Source: Effects of Aerobic and Circuit Training on Fitness and Body Image Among Women., By: Henry, Ruth N., Anshel, Mark A., Michael, Timothy, Journal of Sport Behavior, 01627341, Dec2006, Vol. 29, Issue 4 |
 Early women of steel - Click on the article in March Snippets no. 2 |
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