Muscle dysmorphia symptomatology and associated psychological features in bodybuilders and non-bodybuilder resistance trainers : A systematic review and meta-analysis

Journal article


Mitchell, Lachlan, Murray, Stuart B., Cobley, Stephen, Hackett, Daniel, Gifford, Janelle, Capling, Louise and O'Connor, Helen. (2017). Muscle dysmorphia symptomatology and associated psychological features in bodybuilders and non-bodybuilder resistance trainers : A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Medicine. 47(2), pp. 233-259. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-016-0564-3
AuthorsMitchell, Lachlan, Murray, Stuart B., Cobley, Stephen, Hackett, Daniel, Gifford, Janelle, Capling, Louise and O'Connor, Helen
Abstract

Background
Muscle dysmorphia (MD) is associated with a self-perceived lack of size and muscularity, and is characterized by a preoccupation with and pursuit of a hyper-mesomorphic body. MD symptoms may hypothetically be more prevalent in bodybuilders (BBs) than in non-bodybuilder resistance trainers (NBBRTs).

Objective
Our objective was to compare MD symptomatology in BBs versus NBBRTs and identify psychological and other characteristics associated with MD in these groups.

Methods
We searched relevant databases from earliest record to February 2015 for studies examining MD symptoms in BBs and/or NBBRTs. Included studies needed to assess MD using a psychometrically validated assessment tool. Study quality was evaluated using an adapted version of the validated Downs and Black tool. We calculated between-group standardized mean difference (effect sizes [ESs]) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) for each MD subscale, and performed meta-analysis when five or more studies used the same MD tool. We also extracted data describing psychological or other characteristics associated with MD.

Results
Of the 2135 studies initially identified, 31 analyzing data on 5880 participants (BBs: n = 1895, NBBRTs: n = 3523, controls: n = 462) were eligible for inclusion, though study quality was generally poor–moderate (range 7–19/22). Most participants were male (90 %). Eight different MD assessment tools were used. Meta-analysis for five studies all using the Muscle Dysmorphia Inventory (MDI) revealed there was a medium to large pooled ES for greater MD symptomatology in BBs than in NBBRTs on all MDI subscales (ES 0.53–1.12; p ≤ 0.01). Competitive BBs scored higher than non-competitive BBs (ES 1.21, 95 % CI 0.82–1.60; p < 0.001). MD symptoms were associated with anxiety (r 0.32–0.42; p ≤ 0.01), social physique anxiety (r 0.26–0.75; p < 0.01), depression (r 0.23–0.53; p ≤ 0.01), neuroticism (r 0.38; p < 0.001), and perfectionism (r 0.35; p < 0.05) and were inversely associated with self-concept (r –0.32 to –0.36; p < 0.01) and self-esteem (r –0.42 to –0.47; p < 0.01).

Conclusions
MD symptomatology was greater in BBs than in NBBRTs. Anxiety and social physique anxiety, depression, neuroticism, and perfectionism were positively associated with MD, while self-concept and self-esteem were negatively associated. It remains unclear whether these characteristics are exacerbated by bodybuilding, or whether individuals with these characteristics are attracted to the bodybuilding context.

Year2017
JournalSports Medicine
Journal citation47 (2), pp. 233-259
PublisherSpringer International Publishing
ISSN0112-1642
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-016-0564-3
Scopus EID2-s2.0-84973094023
Research or scholarlyResearch
Page range233-259
Publisher's version
License
All rights reserved
File Access Level
Controlled
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online31 May 2016
Publication process dates
Deposited10 Mar 2022
Permalink -

https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/8x817/muscle-dysmorphia-symptomatology-and-associated-psychological-features-in-bodybuilders-and-non-bodybuilder-resistance-trainers-a-systematic-review-and-meta-analysis

Restricted files

Publisher's version

  • 78
    total views
  • 0
    total downloads
  • 0
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month
These values are for the period from 19th October 2020, when this repository was created.

Export as

Related outputs

Strength and power athletes
Slater, Gary and Mitchell, Lachlan. (2024). Strength and power athletes. In In Forsyth, Adrienne, Mantzioris, Evangeline and Belski, Regina (Ed.). Nutrition for Sport, Exercise, and Performance: Science and Application Second Edition pp. 227 Taylor & Francis Australasia. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003321286-21
Shorter constant work rate cycling tests as proxies for longer tests in highly trained cyclists
du Plessis, Chantelle, Andrews, Mark, Mitchell, Lachlan J. G., Cochrane Wilkie, Jodie, King, Trish and Blazevich, Anthony J.. (2022). Shorter constant work rate cycling tests as proxies for longer tests in highly trained cyclists. PLoS ONE. 17, p. Article e0259034. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0259034
Effectiveness of nutrition interventions on improving diet quality and nutrition knowledge in military populations : A systematic review
Kullen, Charina, Mitchell, Lachlan, O'Connor, Helen T., Gifford, Janelle A. and Beck, Kathryn L.. (2022). Effectiveness of nutrition interventions on improving diet quality and nutrition knowledge in military populations : A systematic review. Nutrition Reviews. 80(6), pp. 1664-1693. https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuab087
Intersection of diet and exercise with the gut microbiome and circulating metabolites in male bodybuilders : A pilot study
Luk, Alison W. S., Mitchell, Lachlan, Koay, Yen Chin, O’Sullivan, John F., O’Connor, Helen, Hackett, Daniel A. and Holmes, Andrew. (2022). Intersection of diet and exercise with the gut microbiome and circulating metabolites in male bodybuilders : A pilot study. Metabolites. 12(10), p. Article 911. https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo12100911
Effect of Set-Structure on Upper-Body Muscular Hypertrophy and Performance in Recreationally-Trained Male and Female
Davies, Timothy, Halaki, Mark, Orr, Rhonda, Mitchell, Lachlan, Helms, Eric R., Clark, Jillian and Hackett, Daniel. (2022). Effect of Set-Structure on Upper-Body Muscular Hypertrophy and Performance in Recreationally-Trained Male and Female. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 36(8), pp. 2176-2185. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000003971
Nutrition knowledge of elite and non-elite Gaelic footballers
Mitchell, Lachlan, Lehane, Paul, McCarthy, Mark, O’Shea, Kris, Tracey, Mark, Whyte, Taylor and Neville, Ross. (2022). Nutrition knowledge of elite and non-elite Gaelic footballers. Science and Medicine in Football. 6(2), pp. 159-163. https://doi.org/10.1080/24733938.2021.1906440
Mobilizing governments and society to combat obesity : Reflections on how data from the WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative are helping to drive policy progress
Breda, João, Farrugia Sant'Angelo, Victoria, Duleva, Vesselka, Galeone, Daniela, Heinen, Mirjam M., Kelleher, Cecily C., Menzano, Maria Teresa, Musić Milanović, Sanja, Mitchell, Lachlan, Pudule, Iveta, Rito, Ana Isabel, Shengelia, Lela, Spinelli, Angela, Spiroski, Igor, Yardim, Nazan, Buoncristiano, Marta, Williams, Julianne, Rakovac, Ivo and McColl, Karen. (2021). Mobilizing governments and society to combat obesity : Reflections on how data from the WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative are helping to drive policy progress. Obesity Reviews. 22(6), pp. 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.13217
Relationship between echocardiogram and physical parameters in experienced resistance trainers : A pilot study
Hackett, Daniel, Mitchell, Lachlan, Clark, Jillian, Hagstrom, Amanda, Keogh, Justin and McLellan, Chris. (2021). Relationship between echocardiogram and physical parameters in experienced resistance trainers : A pilot study. The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness. 61(9), pp. 1290-1300. https://doi.org/10.23736/S0022-4707.20.11615-3
Client experiences and confidence in nutrition advice delivered by registered exercise professionals
Mitchell, Lachlan, McKean, Mark, O'Connor, Helen, Prvan, Tania and Slater, Gary. (2021). Client experiences and confidence in nutrition advice delivered by registered exercise professionals. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. 24(5), pp. 488-493. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2020.09.018
A rapid systematic review of measures to protect older people in long-term care facilities from COVID-19
Frazer, Kate, Mitchell, Lachlan, Stokes, Diarmuid, Lacey, Ella, Crowley, Eibhlin and Kelleher, Cecily C.. (2021). A rapid systematic review of measures to protect older people in long-term care facilities from COVID-19. BMJ Open. 11(10), p. Article e047012. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-047012
The effectiveness of nutrition education programmes on improving dietary intake in athletes : A systematic review
Boidin, Aimee, Tam, Ryan, Mitchell, Lachlan, Cox, Gregory R. and O'Connor, Helen. (2021). The effectiveness of nutrition education programmes on improving dietary intake in athletes : A systematic review. British Journal of Nutrition. 125(12), pp. 1359-1373. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114520003694
Waist circumference-to-height ratio and body mass index for obesity classification in Irish children
Mitchell, Lachlan, Bel-Serrat, Silvia, Heinen, Mirjam, Mehegan, John, Murrin, Celine, O’Brien, Sarah, Stanley, Isobel and Kelleher, Cecily. (2021). Waist circumference-to-height ratio and body mass index for obesity classification in Irish children. Acta Paediatrica. 110(5), pp. 1541-1547. https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.15724
A case study of an 87-year-old male bodybuilder with complex health conditions
Hackett, Daniel A., Mitchell, Lachlan, Wilson, Guy C., Valenzuela, Trinidad, Hollings, Matthew and Fiatarone Singh, Maria. (2021). A case study of an 87-year-old male bodybuilder with complex health conditions. Medicina. 57(7), p. Article 664. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina57070664
Effect of training phase on physical and physiological parameters of male powerlifters
Hackett, Daniel A., Wilson, Guy C., Mitchell, Lachlan, Haghighi, Marjan Mosalman, Clark, Jillian L., Mavros, Yorgi, O’Connor, Helen, Hagstrom, Amanda D., Slater, Gary J., Keogh, Justin and McLellan, Chris. (2020). Effect of training phase on physical and physiological parameters of male powerlifters. Sports. 8(8), p. Article 106. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports8080106
Disordered eating behaviours in female physique athletes
Whitehead, Jacqui, Slater, Gary, Wright, Hattie, Martin, Lisa, O’Connor, Helen and Mitchell, Lachlan. (2020). Disordered eating behaviours in female physique athletes. European Journal of Sport Science. 20(9), pp. 1206-1214. https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2019.1698659
Are exercise professionals fit to provide nutrition advice? An evaluation of general nutrition knowledge
McKean, Mark, Mitchell, Lachlan, O'Connor, Helen, Prvan, Tania and Slater, Gary. (2019). Are exercise professionals fit to provide nutrition advice? An evaluation of general nutrition knowledge. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. 22(3), pp. 264-268. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2018.08.018
Effects of a 12-week modified German volume training program on muscle strength and hypertrophy - A pilot study
Hackett, Daniel A., Amirthalingam, Theban, Mitchell, Lachlan, Mavros, Yorgi, Wilson, Guy C. and Halaki, Mark. (2018). Effects of a 12-week modified German volume training program on muscle strength and hypertrophy - A pilot study. Sports. 6(1), p. Article 7. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports6010007
Physiological implications of preparing for a natural male bodybuilding competition
Mitchell, Lachlan, Slater, Gary, Hackett, Daniel, Johnson, Nathan and O’Connor, Helen. (2018). Physiological implications of preparing for a natural male bodybuilding competition. European Journal of Sport Science. 18(5), pp. 619-629. https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2018.1444095
Effects of a modified German volume training program on muscular hypertrophy and strength
Amirthalingam, Theban, Mavros, Yorgi, Wilson, Guy C., Clark, Jillian L., Mitchell, Lachlan and Hackett, Daniel A.. (2017). Effects of a modified German volume training program on muscular hypertrophy and strength. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 31(11), pp. 3109-3119. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000001747
Do bodybuilders use evidence-based nutrition strategies to manipulate physique?
Mitchell, Lachlan, Hackett, Daniel, Gifford, Janelle, Estermann, Frederico and O’Connor, Helen. (2017). Do bodybuilders use evidence-based nutrition strategies to manipulate physique? Sports. 5(4), p. Article 76. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports5040076
Dietary Intake of Competitive Bodybuilders
Spendlove, Jessica, Mitchell, Lachlan, Gifford, Janelle, Hackett, Daniel, Slater, Gary, Cobley, Stephen and O'Connor, Helen. (2015). Dietary Intake of Competitive Bodybuilders. Sports Medicine. 45(7), pp. 1041-1063. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-015-0329-4