The purpose of this study was to investigate whether gender differences exist in college age men and women’s perception of their fitness, and in their dedication to, or “investment” in being fit. Specifically through feelings of being fit or unfit (fitness orientation), and their self reported extent of the investment to being physically fit or athletically competent (fitness evaluation).
Method:
Male (N=569) and Female (N=1497) individuals, age (M: 24.68 + 8.310 yrs., F: 24.71 + 8.280) years at a southern University completed an online survey consisting of 72-items. The surveys utilized for this inquiry were the Fitness Evaluation Scale (FE) and the Fitness Orientation Scale (FO), and sub-scales of the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ), (Cash, 2000).
Analysis/Results:
A between-gender multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was conducted on the two scales, FE and FO. The results of the MANOVA for FE and FO show no significant effect in relation to gender, Wilk's λ = 0.942, η2= .058, F (2, 2063) = 63.816, P < .05. There was also no significant difference in how college age men and women rated themselves on the FE, (F (2, 2063) = 127.586; P < .05; η2 = .058). However, there was a significant effect when comparing men and women on the FO scale alone (F (2, 2063) = 55.870; P < .05; η2 = .026*).
Conclusions:
The findings of this investigation suggest that college age male and female perceptions of fitness orientation compared to fitness evaluation is not significant between genders. The investigation also suggests the scales utilized to assess fitness perceptions indicate college age males and females show no significant difference in their feelings of being fit or unfit. However, the data did suggest there are significant gender differences in the extent of participants’ investment in FO. The results show men are significantly more invested in their FO, which suggests greater feelings of being physically fit or athletically competent. According to (Cash, 2000) high scorers in FO value fitness and are actively involved in activities that can enhance their fitness. Those that score lower on the FO scale do not value fitness and do not exercise on a regular basis or incorporate fitness activities into their lifestyle, (Cash, 2000).
It is important to understand gender differences in fitness perceptions for future curricular considerations at the K-12 level and the college level. Future studies should include inactive groups and minorities across the life-span.