Fitness Volt
  • Bodybuilding
  • Powerlifting
  • Strongman
  • Workouts
    • Training
    • Exercise Guides
    • Workout Plans
    • Celebrity Workouts
    • Training Programs
  • Nutrition
    • Supplements
    • Diet
    • Diet Plans
    • Nutrition Tips
    • Food Facts
  • Reviews
  • More
    • CrossFit
    • News
      • Mr. Olympia
      • Arnold Classic
      • Results
      • 2022 WSM
    • Fitness Calculator
    • Profiles
    • Motivation
    • Videos
    • MMA
No Result
View All Result
Fitness Volt
  • Bodybuilding
  • Powerlifting
  • Strongman
  • Workouts
    • Training
    • Exercise Guides
    • Workout Plans
    • Celebrity Workouts
    • Training Programs
  • Nutrition
    • Supplements
    • Diet
    • Diet Plans
    • Nutrition Tips
    • Food Facts
  • Reviews
  • More
    • CrossFit
    • News
      • Mr. Olympia
      • Arnold Classic
      • Results
      • 2022 WSM
    • Fitness Calculator
    • Profiles
    • Motivation
    • Videos
    • MMA
No Result
View All Result
Fitness Volt
No Result
View All Result
BodybuildingOP-ED

Study links Physiological Lack to Muscle Dysmorphia In Bodybuilders

This was an interesting finding on the correlation between the drive for muscularity and frustrated basic physiological needs in male bodybuilders.
Matthew Magnante

Written by Matthew Magnante

Last Updated onAugust 9, 2020

Muscle Dysmorphia Study

Muscle Dysmorphia Study

Obsession over one’s appearance is a very common and real problem that many people experience on a daily basis. Whether it’s unflattering skin, height, facial features, and/or overall body image in general, this preoccupation can really do a number on one’s mental health. It doesn’t just affect teens going through changes though, it can occur in anyone at almost any age. 

Why this unhealthy obsession over how we look? For many, society, personal experiences, and peers have a massive influence on the mind. Consequently, someone may have thoughts of not being good enough, or they may feel the need to compensate in some way to try and meet a certain expectation according to what they believe to be an ideal reality. 

Well, one recent study actually gave some insight into this issue as it relates to male bodybuilders who suffer from body dysmorphia due to frustrated basic physiological needs. In this case, the association between bodybuilders and body dysmorphia can be summed up as thinking that one is not big or muscular enough, also referred to as bigorexia. The person will notice things about him/herself that most people probably never would and that they usually cannot change.

Let’s talk about the study and how these psychological deficits can play a big role in the drive for muscularity…

The Study

The study involved 245 men an average of 22 years old who engaged in bodybuilding training. The aim of the study was to

“investigate the mechanism of the drive for muscularity on the relations between frustrated basic needs and diverse indicators of muscle dysmorphia”.

Muscle Dysmorphia

Participants were required to complete a questionnaire that determined their muscularity-oriented attitudes, workout behaviors, supplement use, and eating behaviors. In addition, each individual’s experience with bodybuilding dependence, muscle checking, muscle dissatisfaction, injury, and substance use were determined.

Finally, they had to rate their satisfaction and frustration with the three basic needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness. 

Based on the factors of frustration needs, their scores indirectly correlated with dysmorphia symptoms such as muscle checking, muscle dissatisfaction, injury, etc. This ultimately indicated an association with body dysmorphia through the drive for muscularity. Relatedness or connectedness to others were obviously very strong predictors of body dysmorphia because of the frustrated need to overcompensate. 

This would be considered a pathological condition especially in severe cases where extrinsic motivators result in obsessive behaviors and thoughts about one’s body. Consequently, this can be very mentally damaging due to the highs and lows that are inevitable when aiming to attain an “ideal” physique.

The researchers noted that the lows can be extremely disappointing while the highs only fuel the individual to continue the obsessive behavior (body dysmorphia). 

The study concluded, however, that bodybuilding is not unhealthy, of course, but rather the motivation factors are the concern here. Having goals and the desire to achieve them is a good thing. But when it takes over someone’s life to the point where it affects their mental, then you could consider this to be a problem. 

This applies to many things in life though and not just where it relates to physical appearance (e.g. money, cars, relationships, fame, etc).

It’s also important to note that the study had a few limitations as the design was a cross-sectional without the ability to conclude causality (cause and effect). In addition, more studies need to be done on this same subject for males who engage in other sports activities.

This was an insightful study but in all honesty, it’s not hard to believe and there’s really no debate about whether there is a relationship between frustrated basic needs and the drive for muscularity. 

Published: 9 August, 2020 | 11:37 AM EDT

Add Fitness Volt to your Google News feed. Follow us on Google News
For the latest news and updates please follow us on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Facebook Twitter Reddit Flipboard LinkedIn
Categories: Bodybuilding News OP-ED
Previous Post

Weighted Carries for Strength and Size

Next Post

Lee Priest Skeptical of Phil Heath Return But Thinks He Wins If Dialed In

Matthew Magnante

Matthew Magnante

Matthew has had a passion for fitness since elementary school and continues to research and learn how to build muscle effectively through training and diet. He also loves to help others to achieve their fitness goals and spread the knowledge where needed. Matthew's other passions include learning about mindfulness, strolling through nature, and always working to improve overall.

Related

Bodybuilders Never Win Mr Olympia

13 Best Bodybuilders Who Didn’t Win the Mr. Olympia Title

Mr. Olympia is the biggest bodybuilding show on the planet. Winning the show is the dream of every pro bodybuilder...

Bodybuilding Tanning

Why Do Bodybuilders Tan? — The Ultimate Guide

If you have ever watched a bodybuilding show or seen photos of bodybuilders just before, during, or after a contest,...

Good Height For Bodybuilding

What is a Good Height for Bodybuilding?

If you're a bodybuilding aficionado, at some point, you've probably wondered if you're the right height to become a successful...

Serratus Anterior Exercises

Serratus Anterior Exercises for Bodybuilders

Most bodybuilders and exercisers have a basic knowledge of anatomy. They know their gluteus maximus from their biceps, which exercises...

Tips For Bodybuilding

A to Z Training Tips for Bodybuilders

Tip-type articles are very popular. Concise and to the point, they save you from having to wade through pages of...

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest

Does Splenda Break A Fast? The Complete Guide To Sweeteners’ Impact on Fasting

George Hackenschmidt Workout and Diet Program

Zack Khan Alleges 2022 Mr. Olympia Judges Mistreated Big Ramy Due to Social Media

60-yo Dorian Yates Reveals ‘Excellent’ Health Results, with a Biological Age of 30-39

The Complete Guide to Building Muscle for Women

Charles Atlas Workout and Diet Program

Reviews

Best Bone Broth Supplements

10 Best Bone Broth Supplements of 2023 (Reviewed & Ranked)

Body Fortress Whey Protein Review

Body Fortress Super Advanced Whey Protein Review

Best Coffee Creamer

10 Best Coffee Creamer For Intermittent Fasting of 2023 (Review & Ranked)

Fitness Volt

At FitnessVolt.com Our mission is to help our readers to achieve their fitness goals, regardless of where you’re at on your journey, we are on a mission to educate You with the latest from strength and fitness space. Read more.

Email: sm(at)fitnessvolt.com

Disclosure: FitnessVolt.com has an affiliate relationship with different brands and is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. However, our reviews are based on well research backed analysis.

Follow Us

Trending Topics

  • Mr. Olympia
  • Bodybuilding
  • Strongman
  • Powerlifting
  • CrossFit
  • At Home Workouts
  • Bodyweight Exercises
  • Best Pre-workout
  • Best Fat Burners
  • Bodybuilding Diet
  • Bicep Workouts
  • Triceps Workouts
  • Chest Exercises
  • Back Workouts
  • Leg Workouts
  • Front Squat Guide
  • Calf Workouts & Exercises
  • Forgotten Exercises
  • Jefferson Deadlift

Calculators

  • Calorie Burning Calculators
  • IF Calculator
  • TDEE Calculator
  • Calorie Calculator
  • Keto Calculator
  • RMR Calculator
  • Macronutrient Calculator
  • Creatine Calculator
  • Wilks Calculator
  • EER Calculator
  • FFMI Calculator
  • IBW Calculator
  • LBM Calculator
  • Fat Intake Calculator
  • Calories Burned Swimming
  • Calories Per Meal Calculator

  • Food Nutrition Analysis
  • Carb Cycling Calculator
  • Weight Gain Calculator
  • Weight Loss Calculator
  • Calories Burned Calculator
  • Strength Standards
  • One Rep Max Calculator
  • Body Fat Calculator
  • EER Calculator
  • Weight Loss Percentage
  • Treadmill Calorie Calculator
  • Body Surface Area Calculator
  • Running Pace Calculator
  • Bench Press Calculator
  • Protein Calculator
  • Water Intake Calculator
  • Body Type Quiz
  • Steps to Miles Calculator
  • Calorie Deficit Calculator
  • Home
  • About
  • Jobs
  • Accessibility
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Syndication
  • Sitemap
  • DMCA
  • Copyrights
  • Terms
  • Privacy

© Copyright 2010 - 2022 Fitness Volt IBC. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Bodybuilding
  • Powerlifting
  • Strongman
  • CrossFit
  • Workouts
  • Exercise Guides
    • Arms
    • Back
    • Chest
    • Core
    • Legs and Glutes
    • Shoulders
  • Training
  • Nutrition
  • Reviews
  • More
    • News
    • Mr. Olympia
    • 2022 WSM
    • Diet
    • Arnold Classic
    • Motivation
    • Videos
    • Food Facts
    • Fitness Calculator

© Copyright 2010 - 2022 Fitness Volt IBC. All Rights Reserved.