Research on the Winning Factors of Bikini Fitness Competitions

With the implementation of the "Healthy China 2030" planning outline, bodybuilding and fitness, as sports that enhance physical fitness, shape the body, and promote health, have gradually gained widespread attention in China. The bikini fitness competition is a fitness event where categories are divided based on height. Athletes are required to wear opaque two-piece bikini, walk along a designated route, and perform specified movements in sync with the music. Bikini fitness competitions are an important aspect of women's bodybuilding and fitness, and their core focus is to showcase the beauty and health of women's bodies. In the competition, athletes must win the favor of judges through their clothing, body proportions, muscle definition, posing movements, and overall presentation. To help athletes and coaches better grasp the key elements of the competition, this paper analyzes the winning factors of bikini fitness competitions in detail through literature research, expert interviews, the Delphi method, and the hierarchical analysis method. The results indicate that the factors affecting the outcomes of bikini fitness competitions can be summarized into three primary indicators (beauty, accuracy, and stability), which are further divided into 13 secondary indicators and 45 tertiary indicators.
 

Since their introduction in China, bikini fitness competitions have quickly gained an important position in women's bodybuilding. Compared to traditional bodybuilding competitions, bikini fitness emphasizes women's natural beauty and health rather than merely muscular development. This change caters to the diverse pursuit of "beauty" in modern society, encouraging more women to participate in this sport. However, in actual competitions, the subjectivity of referee scoring and differences in the understanding of competition standards among athletes and coaches often lead to significant disparities in performance at the same training level. Therefore, it is essential to clarify the winning factors of the competition through scientific research and to help athletes train and prepare more effectively to improve their performance.
 

The main purpose of this study is to clarify the winning factors in bikini fitness competitions through expert opinions and systematic analysis, to provide scientific guidance for athletes and coaches, to optimize training plans, and to improve the competitive level. In addition, a detailed analysis of competition factors can help relevant personnel in the bodybuilding and fitness industry better understand the scoring standards and trends of bikini fitness competitions.
 

To ensure the comprehensiveness and systematic nature of the research, this study consulted a large number of domestic and foreign sources on bodybuilding and fitness competitions. It mainly includes academic papers, industry reports, and relevant regulations and scoring standards issued by the China Bodybuilding Association. By analyzing these sources, we can gain a preliminary understanding of the scoring standards and influencing factors in bikini fitness competitions.
 

To obtain firsthand information, this study designed an interview outline for "Winning Factors of Bikini Fitness Competitions" and interviewed several coaches, referees, and athletes with extensive experience in the field of bodybuilding and fitness. Through in-depth exchanges with these experts, we gained unique insights into the winning factors of bikini fitness competitions, which provide important references for subsequent research.
 

The Delphi method is a systematic approach to integrating expert opinions that gradually reaches a consensus through multiple rounds of anonymous questionnaires. Through two rounds of Delphi questionnaires, we collected the opinions of 30 experts regarding the various winning factors in bikini fitness competitions. By analyzing and providing feedback on these opinions, we ultimately determined the key influencing factors in the competition.
 

To better quantify the importance of different factors, we used the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to perform weight analysis on the winning factors in bikini fitness competitions. Through expert scoring and statistical analysis, we determined the relative importance of each indicator.
 

This study used SPSS 19.0 software to statistically analyze the expert questionnaire data, screen out the winning factors with significant influence, and, combined with the results of the hierarchical analysis method, construct a model of the winning factors in bikini fitness competitions.
 

Through the collation and analysis of expert opinions, we constructed a hierarchical structure model for the winning factors in bikini fitness competitions. The model includes three first-level indicators (beauty, accuracy, and stability), 13 second-level indicators, and 45 third-level indicators.
 

"Beauty" is the core element of bikini fitness competitions, encompassing eight aspects: facial features, body shape, muscles, modeling movements, clothing, skin color, walking, and expression.
Beautiful facial features: Delicate facial features and coordinated facial proportions are essential. Referees not only pay attention to the overall shape of the athletes but also examine the facial details. The coordination of the eyes, nose, and mouth, the alignment of the eyebrows with the facial contours, and the neatness and whiteness of the teeth all affect the athletes' final scores.
Body: Body beauty in bikini fitness competitions emphasizes proportional coordination, particularly the balance between the limbs, waist, hips, and height. Excellent bikini fitness contestants typically have an "hourglass" figure, characterized by a slim waist and rounded hips and thighs.
Muscle: Unlike traditional bodybuilding, bikini fitness requires moderate muscle development. Muscle lines should be clear but not overly exaggerated, especially to maintain natural feminine characteristics. Muscle symmetry and firmness are key considerations.
Modeling and movement : Athletes' movements during the competition should be smooth and natural, combining hardness and softness. The shape changes need to exhibit beautiful body curves and good control.
Dress: The attire is an important aspect of bikini fitness competitions. Contestants' bikinis must not only comply with the competition regulations but also be styled and colored appropriately according to their body shape. Additionally, the combination of makeup and accessories must be harmonious and consistent with the overall appearance.
Skin color: The healthy luster of the skin is one of the judging criteria. The skin should be smooth and flawless; especially when exposed to light, it should display a healthy luster. During the competition, athletes often use special oil paint to enhance the three-dimensional appearance of muscle lines, making the uniformity and effect of the oil paint key factors in judging.
Walking: Walking is an important aspect of bikini fitness competitions. The athletes' steps should be natural and coordinated; the gait should be light and powerful, and the rhythm of the movements should align with the music.
Expression: The naturalness and confidence of the expression significantly impact overall performance. Athletes should maintain a smile during the competition and convey confidence and charm through their facial expressions.
 

"Accuracy" primarily refers to the precision of the athlete's movements during the competition. Although bikini fitness competitions do not require highly difficult movements, they demand standard movements and precise execution. Every movement and gait of the athlete should comply with the referee's commands, and precise muscle control should be demonstrated during changes in posture.
Route accuracy: During the competition, athletes need to walk and stand along the established route. Referees will score contestants based on whether they complete these tasks accurately. Therefore, contestants must not only possess excellent body control but also be thoroughly familiar with the competition route.
Accurate modeling and movements: The athlete's modeling movements must comply with the competition regulations, and the amplitude, timing, and strength of the movements should be consistent with the requirements. Any movement that does not meet the competition requirements will impact the final score.
Accurate rhythm: The rhythm of the movements is key in the competition. The athlete's gait, arm swing, and the rhythm of the modeling transitions must match the music's rhythm during the competition to showcase the optimal competitive state.
 

"Stability" is primarily reflected in the athlete's bodily stability and control over modeling movements. Bikini fitness competitions examine not only the beauty of the athletes but also their balance and muscle control.
Stable gait: The steps must be steady and natural, avoiding staggering or an uncoordinated gait. Athletes should keep their heads, shoulders, and hips stable while walking to ensure smooth overall movements.
Stable styling and movement: When athletes switch styles, they need to maintain the continuity and stability of their movements and avoid sudden pauses or uncoordinated transitions. Only with excellent control can they demonstrate a combination of elegance and strength during the competition.
 

Using the hierarchical analysis method and expert scoring, we assigned weights to the various indicators of the bikini fitness competition. The results show that beauty has the highest weight, accounting for more than 50%, followed by accuracy at about 30%, and stability, which has the smallest weight at less than 20%. Among these, body beauty and muscle beauty are the key factors in "beauty," accounting for 20% and 15% of the total score, respectively. Accurate styling and stable gait hold important positions in "accuracy" and "stability," accounting for about 10% and 8%, respectively.
 

Through an in-depth study of the winning factors in bikini fitness competitions, we can draw the following conclusions. Beauty is the core element of the competition. Bikini fitness competitions differ from traditional bodybuilding competitions and place greater emphasis on the contestants' natural beauty, body proportions, and overall temperament. In training, athletes should not only strengthen muscle shaping but also focus on body coordination and flexibility training. The accuracy of movements is equally important. The standards for movements and route accuracy in the competition directly affect the score; therefore, athletes need to enhance their training in modeling movements and gait to ensure they demonstrate a high level of movement control during the competition. Stability is key to elegant performance. A stable gait and smooth modeling transitions can enhance athletes' expressiveness; thus, balance training and muscle control are crucial for competition results. Through scientific and systematic training and competition preparation, athletes can better present themselves in bikini fitness competitions and achieve excellent results.