Subproject II: Body Image

Research Question

Body image is one of the fundamental components of our sense of self. It is crucial to the formation and maintenance of both our mental and physical wellbeing. The influence of an individual’s body image could motivate or impede engagement in physical activity. Physically active individuals report a more positive attitudinal body image. At the same time, one’s motivation to initiate and maintain physical activity might be to influence disturbed body image in a positive manner. There is little evidence on individuals’ responsiveness to physical activity with respect to body image. As such, this bi-directional relation between body image and physical activity remains poorly understood.

The main goal of the current study is to investigate body image and its dynamic changes following the uptake of regular physical activity on a longitudinal basis. The study also aims to investigate the extent to which the individual’s body image is related to affective and biological adaptation reactions to physical training.

Methods

In cooperation with the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Tübingen, we are able to utilise new and innovative methods towards measuring dynamic changes in body image: the 4D body scanning technology, as well as editable biometric 3D body avatar. The 4D Dynamic Scanner captures full body shape at high spatial as well as temporal resolution, allowing us to study body shape both in its static and dynamic configuration. The 3D body avatar tool is a statistical body model, which was generated from the alignment of 2000+ body scans. We have adapted the task in such a way that participants are able to create realistic body variations quickly and simply on the computer screen. We then combine the acquisition of subjective body perception (through the 3D body avatar task) with objective data of one's own body (using the 4D body scans). In this way, we can dynamically analyse interactions between participants’ actual and perceived bodies. In addition, standardised questionnaires assessing self-esteem, body dissatisfaction and body image related behaviour are implemented. Interoceptive awareness, as well as accuracy, are also tested throughout.