Kyle E. Conlon & Lauren E. Brewer (2025)
Exercise frequency may serve as a proximal cue of one’s potential mate value; however, surprisingly few studies have investigated the explicit link between these constructs. Drawing on evolutionary theories, Dobersek et al. (Dobersek et al., Evolutionary Psychological Science 7:124–133, 2021) found that more frequent exercisers scored higher in self-perceived mate value than less frequent exercisers. In the present study, we replicated and extended Dobersek et al.’s findings by investigating the relationships among exercise frequency, mate value, intrasexual competition, and mate retention. Participants (N = 683) reported their exercise frequency and completed measures of self-perceived mate value and ideal partner mate value. Participants also completed measures of intrasexual competition and mate retention concern. Consistent with Dobersek et al., self-perceived mate value was higher among individuals who exercised more rather than less frequently. Extending their findings, high-frequency exercisers also reported a higher ideal partner mate value, and a significant sex × exercise frequency interaction was observed in which males who exercised less frequently reported the lowest ideal partner mate value. Finally, we found partial support for the predictions that high-frequency exercisers would derive greater satisfaction from outcompeting intrasexual rivals and that low-frequency exercisers would show greater concern over the potential dissolution of their relationships. Implications for mate selection and mating success are discussed.
Keine Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen