Muscle dysmorphia: alert for the area of Physical Education

Abstract

This paper had a double aim: to discuss theoretical aspects of muscle dysmorphia and to draw attention to the need for this topic to be included in the Physical Education curriculum. For this purpose, an analysis of publications on muscle dysmorphia by authors who have spread the subject the most was carried out. Results: muscle dysmorphia is a syndrome in which the person, despite having a muscular body, does not believe or does not see himself, muscular enough. Muscle dysmorphia has as main characteristics: alteration in the perception about the musculature; the person sees himself as small; obsession with musculature; exaggeration with muscle hypertrophy; search for the “perfect body”, with strong and toned muscles; intensive, exhausting, exaggerated, long and incorrect exercise routine; use of anabolic steroids, despite being aware of their consequences; the person abandons social activities to practice physical exercise; does not travel before making sure there are gyms in the place where he will go; and the person continues to exercise, afraid of losing muscle mass, even after suffering an injury. With regard to inclusion in the curriculum, proposals for the development and use of materials were discussed, in addition to the correlation with anabolic steroids, in addition to the understanding of the theme through the Body/Corporeality phenomenon were discussed. Final considerations: it is essential that Physical Education teachers are vigilant for muscle dysmorphia and open to interdisciplinary work, integrating different curricular components in the production of materials and in the approach to the topic.