The purpose of this study was to determine if associated characteristics of muscle dysmorphia (MD) were different between elite-level competitive bodybuilders and power lifters. Elite-level competitive bodybuilders (n = 100) and power lifters (n = 68) completed the muscle dysmorphia inventory (MDI) at the time of or immediately before competition. A 2 x 6 (group x MDI subscales) multivariate analysis of variance indicated that bodybuilders were significantly more likely to report body size-symmetry concerns (F(1, 167) = 10.31, p < 0.001), physique protection (F(1, 167) = 10.27, p < 0.001), dietary behavior (F(1, 167) = 28.38, p < 0.001), and pharmacological use (F(1, 167) = 19.64, p < 0.001) than were power lifters. These results suggest that elite-level bodybuilders are significantly more likely to engage in characteristics associated with MD than are elite-level power lifters.

No abstract

The current investigation examined sport fans' impressions of an athlete described as a potential member of their team or a potential member of a rival team . In Study 1, we predicted that individuals would exhibit an ingroup favoritism effect by reporting more positive evaluations of the player's performance when he was described as a high-performing recruit for their team than when he was presented as a recruit for a rival. However, this effect was expected only among highly identified fans (i .e., fans with a strong psychological attachment to the team). College students (N = 70) classified as high or low in identification with a target team watched a videotaped basketball practice session involving a player identified as either a recruit for the target team or a rival. After completion of the videotape, participants rated the target athlete. As expected, planned contrast analyses indicated that the most positive ratings were given by highly identified persons evaluating a potential member of their team while the least positive evaluations were offered by highly identified fans rating a rival's potential player. Lowly identified persons reported moderate evaluations of each target player. In Study 2, we examined evaluations of the target recruit when this person was described in a more negative fashion. In this instance, the target team and level of fan identification had no significant impact on player evaluations.

Early identification of potentially harmful eating patterns is critical in the effective remediation of such behaviors. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the degree lo which various factors including gender, family history, and athletic status predict disordered eating behavior; social physique anxiety and percent body fat were added as potential predictor variables. The eating behaviors of student-athletes and nonathlete students were also compared. One hundred eighty undergraduate students (males = 49, females =131) provided demographic information and completed the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) and the Social Physique Anxiety Scale (SPAS). Stepwise multiple-regression analysis indicated that social physique anxiety, gender, and body fat (%Fat) combined to predict 34% of disordered eating behaviors: EAT = 0.921 SPA - 1.05 %Fat + 10.95 Gender (1 = M. 2 = F) - 17.82 (R2 = .34, SE = 4.68). A one-way ANOVA comparing ihe eating behaviors of athletes and nonathletes revealed no significant difference between these groups.

The use of creatine as an ergogenic aid for athletic performance is growing in popularity, despite limited scientific support for its efficacy. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of creatine (Cr) monohydrate (CrM) and creatine phosphate (CrP) supplementation on strength, body composition, and blood pressure over a 6-week period. Thirty-five males (age range ϭ 19-29 years) with at least 2 years of strength training experience were tested on three separate occasions (pretest, 3 weeks, 6 weeks). Strength tests performed were the one-repetition maximum (1-RM) bench press, 1-RM leg press, and maximal repetitions on the seated preacher bar curl with a fixed amount of weight. Subjects were divided into three groups matched for strength: placebo (Pl), CrM, and CrP. All subjects were provided a standardized strength training regimen and ingested a loading dosage of 20 g per day for the first 3 days of the study, followed by a maintenance dose of 10 g per day for the remainder of the 6-week supplementation period. Significant differences were noted between the Pl group and the two Cr groups for changes in lean body mass, body weight, and 1-RM bench press. These results suggest that oral Cr supplementation will result in greater strength and fat-free mass development. In addition, CrP may be as effective as CrM in achieving these desired outcomes. Effect of oral creatine monohydrate and creatine phosphate supplementation on maximal strength indices, body composition, and blood pressure. J. Strength and Cond. Res. 13(1):3-9. 1999.