Coaches' Communication of Sport Body Image: Experiences of Female Athletes

The purpose of the study was to explore female athletes' experiences of coaches' communication of sport body image. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I female athletes. The results revealed that coaches encouraged nutrition and physical development during training thereby communicating a healthy, fit sport body image. The coaches communicated the sport body image through the sport and training environment, body comparisons and criticisms, recognition of athletic body change, individualized athlete-centered training, and role modeling. Individualized athlete-centered training and goal-setting were viewed as supportive means of communicating guidance about sport body image.