Physical Activity Boosts Self-Perception in Young Women with Endometriosis

Regular Exercise Improves Body Perception in Young Women with Endometriosis

Key Points

Importance:

• A woman with endometriosis may perceive her body as a dysfunctional machine due to the constant pain she feels.
• By improving self-concept, physical activity can help women with endometriosis cope with anxiety, stress, and overall mental well-being.

Highlights:

• Young women with endometriosis who engage in regular physical activity experience improved body image and self-esteem.

What's done here:

• A survey was conducted with 198 women under 30 diagnosed with endometriosis to evaluate the link between physical activity and physical self-concept.
• Participants completed the Physical Self-Description Questionnaire to assess physical self-concept and answered questions about their activity habits.
• Physical activity was categorized into three types: holistic training (e.g., yoga, pilates), solo activities (e.g., running, swimming), and activities with others (e.g., tennis, dance).
• The relationship between regular physical activity and self-concept was examined, comparing women who engage in PA regularly versus those who do not.
• The impact of different physical activity types on physical self-concept was also analyzed.

Key Results:

• Women who engaged in regular physical activity at least once a week, had significantly higher physical self-concept scores compared to those who did not.
• The improvement in physical self-concept was seen across various sub-scales, including coordination, physical activity, sport competence, strength, and overall physical satisfaction.
• No significant differences were found between types of physical activity (holistic, solo, or with others) in terms of improving self-concept.
• A small group of women practicing holistic training (yoga, pilates) had a slightly lower self-concept score, but overall, all types of physical activity were equally effective.

Lay Summary

Endometriosis affects millions of women worldwide, causing chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and significant disruptions to daily life. Beyond the physical pain, this condition can severely impact a woman’s self-esteem and body image. Since body perception is closely tied to physical appearance and abilities, engaging in physical activities can be a powerful way to boost self-image and overall well-being.

A recent study by Coquinos et al. from the Sports Health Science Institute at Paris University explored how physical activity affects body image in women with endometriosis under the age of 30. The study included 198 women who completed a detailed questionnaire on their physical self-concept, covering areas such as health, coordination, physical activity, body appearance, strength, and overall self-esteem.

The results showed that women who participated in regular physical activity, at least once a week, had significantly better physical self-concept scores than those who didn’t engage in regular exercise. This was true across nearly all categories, including health, physical appearance, flexibility, and overall physical satisfaction. The only category that didn’t show a significant difference was overall self-esteem, which remained similar for both groups. Interestingly, the type of physical activity—whether it was yoga, swimming, or team sports—did not affect the results.

Published in Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, the authors recommend that young women with endometriosis feeling anxiety and stress, incorporate regular physical activity into their routine to enhance their physical self-concept and improve their overall quality of life.

Research Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39917272/