‘For athletes, there are many pressures to be strong and fit, but also have that feminine look’: A study of female athletes’ body image

This research investigated body image in a group of British female athletes, to find out their thoughts and feelings about their appearance, and if they felt this impacted on their athletic careers in any way. The athletes were interviewed individually, and asked about their thoughts and feelings about their bodies. Four key themes were identified from the interviews, which were analysed using thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke 2006): Body Image Pressures, Gender Differences, Body Comparisons and The Media. All of the participants reported feeling that they had to maintain a certain appearance, and all felt pressure from outside influences, including the media and from the uniforms they had to wear for their sports. A number of suggestions and recommendations have arisen from the findings, include a need for interventions to maintain a positive body image in female athletes, as well as considerations for factors such as uniform choice, and support from coaches.