Effects of indoor cycling (spinning) exercise on body image and anthropometric measurements in women: An eight-week intervention study

Abstract

This pre-test post-test intervention study included forty women (n = 40) with a mean age of 31.75 ± 5.38 years. Participants performed 45-minute indoor group cycling (spinning) sessions three times per week for eight weeks. Body image perception, assessed using the Body Image Scale developed by Secord and Jourard [1] and adapted into Turkish by Hovardaoglu [2], and anthropometric measurements were evaluated before and after the intervention. Following the exercise program, total body image scores increased significantly from 137.30 ± 27.19 to 159.00 ± 20.81 (p < .001, r = 0.85). Significant reductions were also observed in body weight (from 71.35 ± 9.05 kg to 67.53 ± 8.03 kg, −3.82 kg), body mass index (from 27.05 ± 3.18 kg/m2 to 25.61 ± 2.89 kg/m2), and chest, waist, hip, and thigh circumference measurements (all p < .001). No statistically significant change was found in shoulder circumference (p > .05). These findings indicate that an eight-week indoor group cycling (spinning) exercise program positively influences both body image perception and selected anthropometric indicators in adult women. Indoor cycling may therefore be considered an effective group-based exercise approach supporting both physical and psychological well-being. However, as this was a pre-test post-test study without a control group, causal interpretations should be made with caution.