Olpinska-Lischka, M. et. al.: Pole – a way… Acta Kinesiologica 14 (2020) Issue. 2: 61-65

POLE DANCE – A WAY TO BOOST THE SENSE OF SEXUAL ATTRACTIVENESS OR BODY ACCEPTANCE

Marta Ołpińska-Lischka, Karolina Kujawa, Ida Laudańska-Krzemińska, Janusz Maciaszek

Department of Physical Activity and Health Promotion Science, Poznan University of Physical Education

Original scientific paper

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to find differences in body image and body appreciation between pole dance dancers and physically inactive young women. The study was conducted on 134 students who did not take part in any addition physical activity and 61 pole dance dancers. In our study we used Body Esteem Scale (BES) questionnaire to rate the body image. Also we used Body Appreciation Scale (BAS) to rate the body appreciation. The result show that dancers rated their body appreciation higher than students (p < .001). Pole dance dancers are more satisfied with their . However, undertaking physical activity which is a pole dance is not associated with a higher sense of sexual attractiveness. Both dancers and students have a high level of sexual attractiveness. Thus, it can be assumed that it is not the high sense of sexual attractiveness that determines the participation of young women in pole dance training.

Key words: pole dance, dance, physical activity, students

Introduction Increased sense of self-worth depends on the types Positive evaluation of one’s own body is of of various activities and sports disciplines paramount importance for any person’s undertaken. Rudd and Lennon (2000) proved that performance, especially mental. One of the key involvement in athletics had a positive effect on elements is the internalized self- representation women’s sense of self-worth. (Altabe & Thompson, 1996). The concept of body To date, the issue of body image has been the image is a multi-faceted construct, and self-esteem subject of many studies on many different groups, is one of its aspects (Avalos, Tylka, & Wood- and body perception was frequently studied in Barcalow, 2005). Self-esteem means being aware of young athletes – both female and male. These one’s strengths and weaknesses and self- research interests arise from the fact that young appreciation, with a predominantly positive opinion athletes, both female and male, of some disciplines of oneself (Schiraldi, 2011). Self-confidence are a group at particular risk of developing eating depends on several factors such as: high self- disorders which, in turn, frequently involve esteem which is a major component of body image a negative body self-assessment. This applies in (Brytek-Matera, 2010). Self-confidence is frequently particular to athletes in aesthetic disciplines such used interchangeably with self-esteem as: gymnastics, figure skating, dancing. (Zbonikowski, 2017). The two terms, however, have slightly different meanings. Self-esteem is a Jakubiec and Sękowski (2007) compared body component of self-worth determining: appearance, image in women dancing recreationally in student health, emotional maturity, social attractiveness groups and in women who were professional (Kozielecki, 1981). Zbonikowski (2017) emphasized ballroom dancers. Non-exercising women were the that high self-esteem must not be tantamount to a control group. This study has also shown higher high self-worth. High self-worth leads to a healthy self-satisfaction with their body in professional and self-confidence, respect for oneself and for others, recreational dancers than in non-exercising women. drive for success, drawing correct conclusions, Downey, Reelb, SooHoo and Zerbib (2010) noted learning from errors, seeing problems as challenges that belly dancers also were highly satisfied with (Niebrzydowski, 1976). their bodies in spite of their shapes deviating from the currently promoted models. Self-perception, Regular physical activity does not only improve sexualisation, and attractiveness is also higher in health and appearance but may also be decisive for the group of swimmers and track-and-field athletes improvement of mental well-being and improve the than non-exercising people (Budzisz, 2015). sense of self-worth (Maltby & Day, 2001). Some types of physical activity, such as dancing, may be Thus, it can be shown that physical activity can particularly effective in improving self-worth (Eklund positively affect perception of one’s body or sense of & Masburg, 2015; Minton, 2001), but also body self-worth. Dance in particular is a physical activity assessment. bringing many benefits both in emotional, mental,

Olpinska-Lischka, M. et. al.: Pole dance – a way… Acta Kinesiologica 14 (2020) Issue. 2: 61-65 and physical spheres (Quiroga, Kreutz, Clift, & years. Average age of the student participants was Bongard, 2010). Body movement in dance helps 22.19 (SD = 2.44), and the average age of pole release accummulated emotions and tensions. dancing women was 22.65 (SD = 2.49), and the Dance is a means of integration between people and age difference is statistically significant. Body mass facilitates co-operation in a group (Błońska, 2014). index (BMI) of the dancing subjects was 20.63 (SD = 2.40), and the students – 21.39 (SD = 3.12). Pole dance is a type of dance. Recreationally, pole dance is a relatively new form of physical activity. Body image was assessed using the Body Esteem Pole dance may have negative connotations Scale (BES) questionnaire by Franzoi and Shields because of its association with . Motions (1984). The tool was standardized by Lipowska and performed in this type of physical activity are very Lipowski (2013). This questionnaire is often used in sensual and help the dancer express her femininity research among other populations like Spanish and sexual attractiveness. Dobosz and Guszkowska (Lobera & Rios, 2013) or Brazilian adolescents (2013) believe that certain types of sports (Moreira, Lorenzato, Neufeld, & Almeida, 2018). disciplines or recreational physical activities, specifically dance and the nature of dancing The scale comprises 35 items divided into three movements, may increase self-attractiveness and subscales concerning: sexual attractiveness (body libido. Holland (2010) describes pole dance as scent, nose, lips, ears, chin, breasts, appearance of an embodying activity, while Menzel (2010) points eyes, cheeks/cheekbones, sex drive, sex organs, out the effect of strong awareness and feeling of sexual activities, body hair, face), weight concern with one's own body. Attending pole (appetite, waist, thighs, body build, buttocks, hips, dancing classes is considered a self-sexualising legs, figure or physique, appearance of stomach, behaviour. Self-sexualising behaviours bring specific weight), and physical condition (physical stamina, benefits such as increased feeling of sexual reflexes, muscular strength, energy level, width of attractiveness or improved sense of self-worth shoulders, physical coordination, agility, health, (Nowatzki & Morry, 2009). physical condition). Every body part is evaluated using a five-level Likert scale (1 = negative feelings, Pole dance is a relatively new form of a recreational 2 = moderate negative feelings, 3 = no feelings, 4 physical activity. To date, few studies have analysed = moderate positive feelings, 5 = strong positive the effect of his form of on body feelings). appreciation and body esteem.

Therefore, the main objective of this paper is to Body appreciation was evaluated using the Body identify differences in satisfaction (esteem) and Appreciation Scale (BAS) questionnaire (Avalos et appreciation of one’s own body between pole al., 2005) distinguishing such aspects as: dancers and young women who are not physically acceptance of one’s own body despite its weight or active. shape, healthy behaviours, or rejection of unrealistic body images portrayed in the media. The The specific objective is to compare differences in study subjects were asked to rate 13 statements on estimation of sexual attractiveness between the a five-level scale from 1 (never) to 5 (always). The study groups of young women. maximum score that the subject could achieve was 65 points.

Methods Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS The study included in total 195 women, 134 of software. Numerical variables were presented by which were students of randomly selected Polish means ± standard deviation (SD). Normal universities, not involved in any physical activity distribution was verified using the Kolmogorov- and 61 women who were physically active amateur Smirnov test. None of the numerous variables pole dancers. The study was anonymous and was presented normal distribution. Statistical performed using an online survey posted on significance for quantitative variables between two www.profitest.pl. groups was evaluated by the Kruskal – Wallis test. p-values of up to .05 were assumed to be The average experience of the study subjects statistically significant. attending pole dancing classes was 1.98 ± 2.45

Results

The main study objective was to assess whether attendance at pole dance classes was associated with body appreciation. In the case of body perception and appreciation, differences between the study groups were statistically significant (p < .001). Pole dancing women had higher scores in body appreciation. Of the maximum 65 points to be scored in the Body Appreciation Scale questionnaire, the non-exercising group scored a median of 44 points while the pole dancers had a much higher body appreciation with a median of 54 points (Figure 1).

Olpinska-Lischka, M. et. al.: Pole dance – a way… Acta Kinesiologica 14 (2020) Issue. 2: 61-65

Figure 1. Differences in Body Appreciation Scale Figure 3. Differences between dancers and students (BAS) scores between dancers and students. in body image measured using BES scale, in the "weight concern" subscale. In terms of sexual attractiveness, that is in the Body Esteem Scale, no significant differences were Median value in the “physical condition” subscale noted (p > .05). The students’ group evaluated was significantly higher (p < .001) for dancers. their sexual attractiveness slightly lower than the Median for this group was 36 points while for the pole dancing women (Figure 2). In this subscale, students’ group it was 29 points (Figure 4). Both both the dancers and the students gave highest the students and the dancers rated their physical scores to the appearance of their eyes (Me = 5.0, stamina the lowest (respectively: Me = 3, Me = 4, p Me = 5.0 respectively, p > .05), and the lowest to < .001). The highest score was given by the their body hair (Me = 3.0, Me = 3.0 respectively, p students to reflexes (Me = 4) and by the dancers to > .05). the width of their shoulders (Me = 4).

Figure 2. Differences between dancers and students in body image measured using BES scale, in the "sexual attractiveness" subscale. Figure 4. Differences between dancers and students in body image measured using BES scale, in the The median value for the weight concern subscale “physical condition” subscale. was 33 for the students’ group and 37 for the dancers’ group (Figure 3) and the differences are Discussion statistically significant (p = .001). The students gave the lowest score to their thighs (Me = 2). The dancers gave the lowest score to their stomach (Me Pole dancing is a recreational physical activity = 3). The highest score was given by the students rapidly gaining popularity and sometimes seen as to appetite (Me = 4) and by the dancers to their an artistic dance, sports discipline, or type of buttocks (Me = 4). (Whitehead & Kurz, 2009). As it combines elements of acrobatics, gymnastics, and dance, it benefits fitness in many ways, forming both endurance and coordination skills. Pole dancing is similar to street workout where mainly calisthenic – using your own body mass – are made using vertical and horizontal bars, same as in pole

Olpinska-Lischka, M. et. al.: Pole dance – a way… Acta Kinesiologica 14 (2020) Issue. 2: 61-65 dancing. Street workout is undertaken by persons dancing classes – probably helps improve the who are healthy, athletic, with low fat mass and feeling of self-worth in physically active people. In high muscular development (Sanchez-Martinez, this study, young dancing and non-dancing women Plaza, Araneda, Sánchez, & Almagiâ, 2017). presented the largest differences in assessment of the following body parts: legs, buttocks, shoulders, and thighs. All of these body parts were better Similarly to street workout, pole dancing improves assessed by pole dancers. Significant differences muscle strength and flexibility as well as aesthetic sensitivity of the dancers to the beauty of were also noted in terms of assessment of physical condition of the study subjects (p < .05). Effect of movement. Lack of competition can be considered an additional advantage of this activity where the this form of dancing on fitness is similar to that found among professional ballroom dancers dancer is only fighting her own weaknesses, (Jakubiec & Sękowski, 2007). Female ballroom practicing strong will and courage which may be dancers also had markedly better results both in the reflected in their daily lives (Karpińska, test of power, shoulder and abdominal muscle Podciechowska, & Stęsik, 2015). Moreover, results of our study have shown that physical activity strength compared to non-dancing female students (Drohomirecka, Kloc, & Kotarska, 2010). associated with pole dancing is correlated with a very important component of self-esteem – a better body appreciation. Women doing pole dancing Female pole dancers also had higher results in the recreationally had much higher (p < .05) body BAS subscale of “weight concern”. Thus, they gave appreciation (Md = 54 points) than women not higher scores to the body appearance components attending such classes (Me = 44 points). Therefore, the image of which can be improved by dieting and in spite of the lack of competition in pole dancing, exercise. This may be related to the fact that the activity ensures high self-esteem similarly to usually people who pursue additional physical other forms of competition with a lot of incidental activity take more care about their diet and have contact such as roller derby. Quite simply, women healthier lifestyles. This is confirmed by the results attending sports classes have higher self-esteem of the BAS questionnaire where it was noted that and improved body perception and image (Eklund & pole dancing women pay greater attention to a Masburg, 2015). Pole dancers are, thus, no different healthy lifestyle and take care of their bodies more from many other groups of athletes and have a than women not pursuing any additional activities. better body esteem than non-exercising people (Varnes et al., 2015). Even among judo players of It may be surprising that the result indicates that various weight categories, it was observed that a pole dancers are no different in assessing (p > .05) regular and purposeful physical activity pursued their sexual attractiveness than women not over a longer term could significantly contribute to attending pole dancing classes. Similar results were self-esteem improvement (Ussorowska, Przybylski, observed among professional ballroom dancers. In Mieszkowski, Niespodziński, & Weiner, 2014). their case, likewise, professional female dancers had Abbott and Barber (2011) pointed out that only slightly higher results than the control group on involvement of girls in any sports classes made the sexual attractiveness scale (Jakubiec & them have a better body image than the girls who Sękowski, 2007). Thus, it can be supposed that the did not pursue any additional physical activity. If form of activity, such as pole dancing or ballroom pole dancing, similarly to many other forms of dancing, does not have a significant effect on physical activity, helps perfect the body and see feeling sexually attractive. Donaghue, Kurz and positive changes in the appearance and feel better, Whitehead (2011) reached a similar conclusion in it can be particularly advisable for girls and young their analysis of websites of dance clubs offering women. Results of our study clearly show a positive pole dancing classes. All websites addressed at correlation between attendance at pole dancing potential class attendants were referring mainly to classes and high self-esteem. This form of physical benefits related to physical fitness which can be activity also has a positive effect on general achieved by pole dancing. Pole dancing, therefore, wellness, reduces anxiety and depression, and is primarily a type of aerobic exercise. The above improves mood (Dunn, 2005; Stephens, 1988). results of our study and analysis of references lead to a supposition that sexual attractiveness is not the Body self-assessment, however, is additionally main motive for getting involved in this form of dependent on the age of the study subjects. physical activity. Usually, older women have a higher esteem of their bodies, increasingly appreciating their health with Conclusion the passing age, and being more likely to approve of imperfections of their bodies (Tiggemann & McCourt, 2013). It is ever more important to Our study results have shown differences between support and increase activity of young women and female dancers and students in terms of body help them perfect their bodies, specifically improve assessment (BAS). Pole dancing women have a their self-assessment of their body images. Lower higher body appreciation and a better body image self-esteem of young women can be eliminated by assessment. In addition to this, pole dancing entails recreational pole dancing. The mechanism of the a more positive as-sessment of physical condition correlations described above is unclear but better and weight concerns. Dancing women are more body shape – a particularly evident outcome of pole satisfied with their physical fitness. Pursuing

Olpinska-Lischka, M. et. al.: Pole dance – a way… Acta Kinesiologica 14 (2020) Issue. 2: 61-65 physical activity in the form of pole dancing does young women do not choose pole dancing classes in not, how-ever, have a significant effect on feeling order to feel highly sexually attrac-tive but this form sexually attractive. Both female dancers and non- of activity results in a high self-esteem of class exercising students declared high level of sexual attendants. attractiveness. It can be assumed, therefore, that

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Corresponding information:

Received: 03.05.2020. Accepted: 10.09.2020. Correspondence to: Janusz Maciaszek University: University of Physical Education Faculty: Department of Physical Activity and Health Promotion Science Phone: +48 61 835 52 14 E-mail: [email protected]