Just one 30-minute bout of exercise makes women feel stronger and thinner, according to a new UBC study. And the positive effect lasts well beyond the activity itself, which may be good news for women concerned about their body image.

害羞草研究所淲omen, in general, have a tendency to feel negatively about their bodies,害羞草研究所� says study senior author Kathleen Martin Ginis, professor in UBC Okanagan害羞草研究所檚 School of Health and Exercise Sciences. 害羞草研究所淭his is a concern because poor body image can have harmful implications for a woman害羞草研究所檚 psychological and physical health including increased risk for low self-esteem, depression and for eating disorders. This study indicates exercise can have an immediate positive effect.害羞草研究所�

Martin Ginis, along with her graduate student Lauren Salci, compared the body image and physical perceptions of women who completed 30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise with those who sat and read. Women in the exercise group had significant improvements in their body image compared to those who didn害羞草研究所檛 exercise. This positive effect lasted at least 20 minutes post-exercise. The research team further established that this effect was not due to a change in the women害羞草研究所檚 mood, rather it was linked to perceiving themselves as stronger and thinner.

害羞草研究所淲e all have those days when we don害羞草研究所檛 feel great about our bodies,害羞草研究所� says Martin Ginis. 害羞草研究所淭his study and our previous research shows one way to feel better, is to get going and exercise. The effects can be immediate.害羞草研究所�

Martin Ginis sees this study as a gateway to developing maximally effective body image-enhancing exercise interventions.

According to the National Institutes of Health, nearly one half of North American women experience some degree of body image dissatisfaction and this has become more prevalent over the last three decades.

害羞草研究所淲e think that the feelings of strength and empowerment women achieve post exercise, stimulate an improved internal dialogue,害羞草研究所� says Martin Ginis. 害羞草研究所淭his in turn should generate positive thoughts and feelings about their bodies which may replace the all too common negative ones.害羞草研究所�

The study, published in July害羞草研究所檚 issue of Psychology of Sport and Exercise, was supported by funds from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.