Letter/Communication
Momentary Predictors of Weight-Motivated Exercise Among Female Collegiate Athletes
Psychology of sport and exercise, v 85, 103159
14 May 2026
PMID: 42140304
Featured in Collection : Drexel's Newest Publications
Abstract
Female collegiate athletes' eating disorder (ED) risk may be challenging to detect given their frequent and intense exercise engagement, a characteristic weight-control ED behavior. Thus, assessing reasons for motivation to exercise and satisfaction with exercise, e.g., burning calories, and cognitive-affective predictors of these outcomes, may elucidate ED risk in this population. Forty-five female collegiate athletes completed a 2-week ecological momentary assessment protocol measuring study variables. Elevated fear of weight gain was prospectively associated with 61% increased odds of weight-motivated exercise and 47% increased odds of weight-based satisfaction with exercise. Additionally, body dissatisfaction was prospectively associated with 52% increased odds of subsequent weight-motivated exercise. However, confidence intervals (CIs) contained the null, reflecting limited precision. Weight-motivated exercise significantly predicted a 7-fold increase in odds of subsequent weight-based satisfaction with exercise. In summary, participants may be more likely to endorse weight-based motivation for exercise after higher levels of fear of weight gain and body dissatisfaction, though replication is needed. Further, the link between weight-focused cognitions preceding and succeeding exercise may illuminate how weight-focused exercise is reinforced.
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Details
- Title
- Momentary Predictors of Weight-Motivated Exercise Among Female Collegiate Athletes
- Creators
- Rebecca J Crochiere (Corresponding Author) - Williams CollegeAva Simunovic - Williams CollegeAshley Kim - Williams CollegeDestiny Crisp - Williams CollegeEuna Lee - Williams CollegeElizabeth W Lampe - Dartmouth CollegeStephanie M Manasse - Nemours Children's Health SystemFengqing Zhang - Drexel University
- Publication Details
- Psychology of sport and exercise, v 85, 103159
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Resource Type
- Letter/Communication
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); Center for Weight, Eating and Lifestyle Science (WELL) [Historical]
- Other Identifier
- 991022179439004721