Stefano Scarpa

Relationships between Physical Self-Concept and Physical Fitness in Italian Adolescents

Physical self-concept exerts a central role in adolescence. In this phase of life, individuals experience many physical, mental, and emotional changes, and sex differences become evident. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between physical self-concept and actual indicators of physical fitness among youth in early adolescence. A total of 103 Italian boys and girls, ages 12 to 15 years (M = 13.2, SD = 0.7) were studied. Physical self-concept was assessed using the Physical Self-Description Questionnaire, EUROFIT tests were used to measure physical fitness, and BMI was calculated based on height and weight measurements. Results showed several significant correlations between the variables, revealed some sex differences on physical self-concept and fitness, and indicated significant correlations between EUROFIT scores and physical self-concept variables.

Peer-victimization during physical education and enjoyment of physical activity.

This study examined the relations between peer-victimization during sport practice and physical activity enjoyment. 395 students (219 boys, 176 girls) from a middle school, ages 12 to 13 years (M = 12.2), were surveyed. Few correlations between peer-victimization during sport practice and physical activity enjoyment variables were negative. Linear regression analysis was also conducted, highlighting a subtle influence of peer-victimization during practice of sports on enjoyment of physical activity. Peer-victimization during practice of sports seems to be a poor predictor of low enjoyment of physical activity.

Effects of a single session of physical exercise on body state image

Despite the fact that athletes and physically active persons are generally more satisfied with their bodies than sedentary people, physical activity seems to exert both negative and positive influences on body image. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a single session of exercise in state body image modification. In particular, we observed if a single session of sport or fitness activity could have a positive influence on state body image, considered as an episodic, evaluative and affective perception of the own physical appearance. Results showed an increase of the mean state body image rate (assessed with the Body Image States Scales, BISS) after a one-hour session of sport or fitness activities in a sample of 295 individuals. Intensity and fun seemed to be key-factors in state body image enhancement. These findings could have significant implications in the treatment of BI disturbances and in their prevention.Em que pese o fato de que atletas e pessoas fisicamente ativas estarem geralmente mais satisfeitos com seu corpo que individuos sedentarios, a atividade fisica parece ser responsavel por influencias tanto positivas quanto negativas em relacao a imagem corporal. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar o efeito de uma sessao de exercicios na modificacao da imagem corporal. Especificamente, observamos se uma sessao de pratica esportiva ou de atividade em academia poderia exercer influencia positiva na imagem corporal, considerada como uma percepcao episodica, avaliativa e afetiva a respeito da propria aparencia. Os resultados mostram um incremento da autoimagem corporal (segundo a Escala de Estados de Imagem Corporal, BISS) depois de uma hora de atividade em academia ou pratica esportiva em uma amostra composta por 295 sujeitos. Intensidade e divertimento associados as atividades foram, ao que parece, fatores-chave para a elevacao de escores em relacao a imagem corporal. Os resultados da pesquisa podem oferecer importantes implicacoes para o tratamento e prevencao de disturbio de autoimagem.

Does Christianity Demean the Body and Deny the Value of Sport? – A Provocative Thesis

According to a thesis which is today authoritatively supported by some authors, the scarce recognition given to sport sciences in our culture should be ascribed to Christianity. This paper, in addition to attempting to refute this thesis, wishes to enrich the epistemological background of the emerging areas of research, to which sport belongs, with the perspective of a full appreciation of the value of man and of his corporeity. The argument develops in two main directions: the first aims at bringing out the concept of corporeity which characterises genuine Christian thought, as conveyed in the sacred scriptures, while the second is directed towards identifying the values which sports and the Gospel message have in common. The result of this analysis, the bibliographical references of significant authors and of the arguments put forward, seems to lead to the conclusion that the essence of the Christian message entirely values human corporeity, and that it is even possible to identify shared values in sports and Christian ethics.

Efectos de una sección de ejercicios físicos en la imagen corporal

Despite the fact that athletes and physically active persons are generally more satisfied with their bodies than sedentary people, physical activity seems to exert both negative and positive influences on body image. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a single session of exercise in state body image modification. In particular, we observed if a single session of sport or fitness activity could have a positive influence on state body image, considered as an episodic, evaluative and affective perception of the own physical appearance. Results showed an increase of the mean state body image rate (assessed with the Body Image States Scales, BISS) after a one-hour session of sport or fitness activities in a sample of 295 individuals. Intensity and fun seemed to be key-factors in state body image enhancement. These findings could have significant implications in the treatment of BI disturbances and in their prevention.Em que pese o fato de que atletas e pessoas fisicamente ativas estarem geralmente mais satisfeitos com seu corpo que individuos sedentarios, a atividade fisica parece ser responsavel por influencias tanto positivas quanto negativas em relacao a imagem corporal. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar o efeito de uma sessao de exercicios na modificacao da imagem corporal. Especificamente, observamos se uma sessao de pratica esportiva ou de atividade em academia poderia exercer influencia positiva na imagem corporal, considerada como uma percepcao episodica, avaliativa e afetiva a respeito da propria aparencia. Os resultados mostram um incremento da autoimagem corporal (segundo a Escala de Estados de Imagem Corporal, BISS) depois de uma hora de atividade em academia ou pratica esportiva em uma amostra composta por 295 sujeitos. Intensidade e divertimento associados as atividades foram, ao que parece, fatores-chave para a elevacao de escores em relacao a imagem corporal. Os resultados da pesquisa podem oferecer importantes implicacoes para o tratamento e prevencao de disturbio de autoimagem.

Efeitos de uma sessão de exercícios físicos na imagem corporal

Despite the fact that athletes and physically active persons are generally more satisfied with their bodies than sedentary people, physical activity seems to exert both negative and positive influences on body image. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a single session of exercise in state body image modification. In particular, we observed if a single session of sport or fitness activity could have a positive influence on state body image, considered as an episodic, evaluative and affective perception of the own physical appearance. Results showed an increase of the mean state body image rate (assessed with the Body Image States Scales, BISS) after a one-hour session of sport or fitness activities in a sample of 295 individuals. Intensity and fun seemed to be key-factors in state body image enhancement. These findings could have significant implications in the treatment of BI disturbances and in their prevention.Em que pese o fato de que atletas e pessoas fisicamente ativas estarem geralmente mais satisfeitos com seu corpo que individuos sedentarios, a atividade fisica parece ser responsavel por influencias tanto positivas quanto negativas em relacao a imagem corporal. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar o efeito de uma sessao de exercicios na modificacao da imagem corporal. Especificamente, observamos se uma sessao de pratica esportiva ou de atividade em academia poderia exercer influencia positiva na imagem corporal, considerada como uma percepcao episodica, avaliativa e afetiva a respeito da propria aparencia. Os resultados mostram um incremento da autoimagem corporal (segundo a Escala de Estados de Imagem Corporal, BISS) depois de uma hora de atividade em academia ou pratica esportiva em uma amostra composta por 295 sujeitos. Intensidade e divertimento associados as atividades foram, ao que parece, fatores-chave para a elevacao de escores em relacao a imagem corporal. Os resultados da pesquisa podem oferecer importantes implicacoes para o tratamento e prevencao de disturbio de autoimagem.