Influence of the physical image in the excessive practice of physical exercises by teenagers of Estelí, Nicaragua

Abstract

The influence that body image has on the young population is not a popular researched subject, although it is significant for the society, it covers different knowledge areas especially the psychological one. This article is part of a research carried out with 32 teenagers among 14 and 17 years old. 8 teenagers were chosen every 4 gyms with the highest affluence in Estelí during 2017. The aim of this research was to analyze how the perception of body image influences the practice of excessive physical exercises in teenagers. The methodological approach was mixed with qualitative approach incidence. To collect the data an Interview, free listing technique, self-esteem test and Likert scale were used. The main findings show that teenagers are influenced by the perception of their own physique image, performing excessively physical exercises, being affected by factors such as: society, self-esteem, gender stereotypes that extent erroneously, spending more than 2 hours daily to work, changing their routine. Based on the main findings, a psychological intervention plan was developed as an option to be used by future researchers to work with trainers and teenagers who work out, in order to prevent corporal dysmorphic disorder or popularly known as vigorexia.