The effect of fitspiration on body dissatisfaction and exercise motivation in female NCAA Division I athletes and non-athletes

OBJECTIVE: The present study's aim was to examine the effect of fitspiration on body dissatisfaction and exercise motivation in female Division I athletes compared to non-Division I athletes. PARTICIPANTS: = 95). METHODS: Participants were randomized into a fitspiration (viewing fitspiration images) or a control group (viewing travel images) and completed measures of body dissatisfaction and exercise motivation pre- and post-exposure to the images. RESULTS: Regardless of athletic status, participants in the fitspiration group had increased body dissatisfaction, and participants in the control group had decreased body dissatisfaction. However, non-athletes had increased exercise motivation compared to athletes, regardless of image group. CONCLUSIONS: Fitspiration should be consumed with caution due to its negative effects on body dissatisfaction for both athletes and non-athletes, but exposure to fitspiration or travel images may increase exercise motivation in non-athletes.