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ERIC Number: EJ840628
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008-Sep
Pages: 6
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0270-1367
EISSN: N/A
Puberty and Physical Self-Perceptions of Competitive Female Figure Skaters II: Maturational Timing, Skating Context, and Ability Status
Monsma, Eva V.
Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, v79 n3 p411-416 Sep 2008
One study of figure skaters found that menarcheal status was a stronger predictor than age in explaining the variance in their self-perceptions. Postmenarcheal skaters had significantly lower self-esteem and physical self-concept and were less satisfied with their appearance than premenarcheal skaters. Surprisingly, skating context (i.e., skating with a partner) was not a significant correlate of the self-perceptions. Further examination of puberty and skating context on physical self-perceptions in aesthetic sports was recommended (Monsma, Malina, & Feltz, 2006). The present study has three aims. First, aligned with Dorn, Dahl, Woodward, and Biro (2006), the primary purpose was to determine if physical self-perceptions discriminated across menarcheal timing among the postmenarcheal skaters in the Monsma et al (2006) sample. The second purpose was to consider skating context independent of the other sources of self-perceptions by determining if the Physical Self-Description Questionnaire (PSDQ) subscales discriminated solo and partner skaters. Finally, the PSDQ subscales across competitive levels were also considered. Participants were 121 competitive female figure skaters representing free skating (n = 80), ice dancing (n = 23), and pair skating (n = 18) competing at the test-stream (n = 34), pre-elite (n = 51), or elite (n = 36) level. Test-stream skaters were those who participated in advanced programs but did not compete at the national or subnational level. Pre-elite skaters had experience competing in at least one U.S. Figure Skating Association or Skate Canada national qualifying competition at the novice level, while elite skaters were junior- and senior-level competitors. Ages ranged from 11.5 to 21.3 years (M = 15.85 years, SD = 2.26). Research measures include PSDQ and Menarche interview. Overall results indicated that pubertal timing, contrary to the Monsma et al (2006) analysis, plays a role in self-perceptions. The discriminant function analysis examining skating context variation independently indicated four discriminating PSDQ subscales for the same sample. Compared to solo skaters, partner skaters reported lower sport competence and health perceptions with moderate effect sizes but higher endurance and appearance scores with low effect sizes. Higher endurance scores seem intuitive, because partner skaters practice more on and off the ice (Monsma & Malina, 2005). Future research should examine the extent that female skaters practice alone versus with their partner. (Contains 4 tables.)
American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. 1900 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191. Tel: 800-213-7193; Fax: 703-476-9527; e-mail: info@aahperd.org; Web site: http://www.aahperd.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A