Effects of Weight Training Frequency on the Self-concept of College Females

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of weight training frequency on the self-concept of college females. One hundred sixty-four college females volunteered to participate in this study. Fifty-one subjects weight trained three days per week for 12 weeks (MWF), 53 subjects weight trained two days per week (TT) for 12 week, and 52 subjects served as controls (C). Both experimental groups performed three sets of 10 reptitions at 75 percent of maximum. Self-concept was assessed by the Tennessee Self-concept Scale prior to strength and body fat testing. Both the MWF and TT groups showed significiant increases in strength on the half-squat, bench press and sit-ups as compared to the C group, Only the MWF group improved significantly in total skinfold (TSF) when compared to the C group. The experimental groups showed significant gains on physical self and total positive self-concept scores. However, only the TT group exhibited a significant increase in self-satisfaction scores when compared to the C group. The results suggest that self-concept of college females seems to increase as a result of strength training two days per week or three days per week.