Date on Honors Thesis

Fall 12-2025

Major

Exercise Science/Pre-Hlth Professional

Examining Committee Member

Dr. Matthew Hermes, Advisor

Examining Committee Member

Dr. Lucas Morgan, Committee Member

Examining Committee Member

Dr. Amelia Dodd, Committee Member

Abstract/Description

Resistance training is a widely recommended form of exercise for enhancing muscular strength, improving metabolic health, and promoting overall quality of life. In addition to these benefits, perhaps the most popular reason for participating in resistance training is to achieve muscle hypertrophy and attain a desired or aesthetic physique. However, various factors such as the use of performance-enhancing drugs and social media have led to “physique inflation,” a cultural phenomenon in which exposure to highly enhanced or unrealistic body types shifts perceptions of what is considered a “normal” or attainable physique. As a result, many individuals avoid or delay resistance training due to the belief that meaningful hypertrophy requires excessive time, effort, or complex programming. This study examined how perceptions of hypertrophy influenced individuals’ willingness to engage in resistance training and whether education on proper training variables improved motivation. Participants completed a survey assessing their understanding of hypertrophy-related training principles, then viewed images of individuals with visible muscular development and estimated the effort required to achieve similar physiques. Participants subsequently received a brief educational segment outlining evidence-based, time-efficient hypertrophy training recommendations. Immediate follow-up questions measured changes in motivation and perceived attainability of resistance training. The educational segment on time-efficient hypertrophy strategies significantly improved participants’ motivation to train. Results demonstrated that participants had limited knowledge of resistance training variables and were unable to estimate the time and effort required for physique development accurately. These findings suggested that physique inflation contributed to exaggerated perceptions of the demands of hypertrophy training and that brief educational interventions successfully reduced these misperceptions, increasing the likelihood of resistance training participation.

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