Research Article

A Comparison of Body Attitudes Among Female Fitness and Pilates Participants in Terms of Body Composition and Socio-Demographic Variables

Volume: 9 Number: 2026 September 4, 2026
TR EN

A Comparison of Body Attitudes Among Female Fitness and Pilates Participants in Terms of Body Composition and Socio-Demographic Variables

Abstract

Purpose: It is well established that the effects of exercise modalities on body image vary. This study aims to compare the body attitudes of female fitness and pilates participants within the scope of body composition and socio-demographic variables.

Method: Participants were recruited from multiple private fitness centers and pilates studios across southwestern Türkiye (Antalya, Burdur, and Denizli) between September 2024 and June 2025. Designed as a descriptive survey model within a quantitative research approach, the study sample consists of 193 women (Mage = 26.49, SD = 8.22) who regularly participate in fitness (n = 91) or pilates (n = 102). Data were collected via a Demographic Information Form, the Ben-Tovim Walker Body Attitudes Questionnaire, and an InBody device. Independent samples t-tests and Pearson correlation analysis were utilized for data analysis.

Results: The findings revealed that women who engage in fitness have a stronger perception of being strong and fit compared to those practicing pilates. Marital status was found to differentiate scores in the disparagement and attractiveness subscales, while individuals with a history of licensed sports participation exhibited higher perceptions of attractiveness and lower perceptions of fatness. Furthermore, women without children had significantly higher disparagement scores than those with children. As age increased, perceptions of disparagement, attractiveness, and being strong/fit decreased in the pilates group, whereas only disparagement decreased in the fitness group. The relationships between body composition variables and body attitudes support the existing literature.

Conclusion: In conclusion, women's body attitudes are associated with exercise modality, past sports experience, socio-demographic characteristics, and body composition variables. However, rather than a unidimensional structure, this relationship exhibits a multidimensional pattern that differentiates across specific subscales.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Sports Science and Exercise (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

September 4, 2026

Submission Date

June 19, 2026

Acceptance Date

September 1, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 9 Number: 2026

APA
Ömercioğlu, M., & Çelik, B. (2026). A Comparison of Body Attitudes Among Female Fitness and Pilates Participants in Terms of Body Composition and Socio-Demographic Variables. 9(2026), 713-732. https://izlik.org/JA85PZ28PD
AMA
1.Ömercioğlu M, Çelik B. A Comparison of Body Attitudes Among Female Fitness and Pilates Participants in Terms of Body Composition and Socio-Demographic Variables. 2026;9(2026):713-732. https://izlik.org/JA85PZ28PD
Chicago
Ömercioğlu, Mine, and Buse Çelik. 2026. A Comparison of Body Attitudes Among Female Fitness and Pilates Participants in Terms of Body Composition and Socio-Demographic Variables. 9 (2026): 713-32. https://izlik.org/JA85PZ28PD.
EndNote
Ömercioğlu M, Çelik B (September 1, 2026) A Comparison of Body Attitudes Among Female Fitness and Pilates Participants in Terms of Body Composition and Socio-Demographic Variables. 9 2026 713–732.
IEEE
[1]M. Ömercioğlu and B. Çelik, “A Comparison of Body Attitudes Among Female Fitness and Pilates Participants in Terms of Body Composition and Socio-Demographic Variables”, vol. 9, no. 2026, pp. 713–732, Sept. 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA85PZ28PD
ISNAD
Ömercioğlu, Mine - Çelik, Buse. “A Comparison of Body Attitudes Among Female Fitness and Pilates Participants in Terms of Body Composition and Socio-Demographic Variables” 9/2026 (September 1, 2026): 713-732. https://izlik.org/JA85PZ28PD.
JAMA
1.Ömercioğlu M, Çelik B. A Comparison of Body Attitudes Among Female Fitness and Pilates Participants in Terms of Body Composition and Socio-Demographic Variables. 2026;9:713–732.
MLA
Ömercioğlu, Mine, and Buse Çelik. A Comparison of Body Attitudes Among Female Fitness and Pilates Participants in Terms of Body Composition and Socio-Demographic Variables. no. 2026, Sept. 2026, pp. 713-32, https://izlik.org/JA85PZ28PD.
Vancouver
1.Mine Ömercioğlu, Buse Çelik. A Comparison of Body Attitudes Among Female Fitness and Pilates Participants in Terms of Body Composition and Socio-Demographic Variables [Internet]. Vols. 9. 2026 Sep. 1;9(2026):713-32. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA85PZ28PD

For the articles to be published in 2026 in the ÇOMÜ Journal of Sports Sciences, an international, peer-reviewed journal covering studies in the field of Sports Sciences, original research and review articles written in English within the scope of the journal will be accepted.

In this context, manuscripts for the 2026 publication period may be submitted until the end of November 2026.

Kind regards,

Editor
Prof. Dr. Hürmüz KOÇ