SOCIO-PSYCHOLOGICAL APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF WOMEN’S ATTITUDES TOWARD FITNESS PRACTICES: A REVIEW OF FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC RESEARCH

Abstract

This article examines socio-psychological approaches to the study of women’s attitudes toward fitness practices through a comparative review of foreign and domestic research. The paper analyzes the main theoretical perspectives explaining women’s involvement in fitness activities, including motivation theory, self-determination theory, body image concepts, social identity, gender-role expectations, and the influence of social environment. Special attention is given to the socio-cultural, emotional, and interpersonal determinants that shape women’s perceptions of fitness as a means of health promotion, self-presentation, psychological well-being, and social integration. The review shows that women’s attitudes toward fitness are formed under the influence of a complex interaction of internal motives and external social pressures, including family support, peer influence, media standards of attractiveness, and the accessibility of fitness infrastructure. The article also identifies similarities and differences between foreign and domestic studies, demonstrating that international research is more focused on body image, self-esteem, and empowerment, while domestic studies more often emphasize health improvement, lifestyle regulation, and social adaptation. It is argued that the socio-psychological analysis of women’s engagement in fitness practices has important pedagogical and psychological implications for the development of inclusive, motivating, and culturally sensitive health-related programs. The findings may be useful for researchers, psychologists, and educators interested in physical culture, gender studies, and the psychology of health behavior.