Practices of Weight Regulation Among Elite Athletes in Combat Sports: A Matter of Mental Advantage?
| Autor: | Pettersson, Stefan, Pipping Ekström, Marianne, Berg, Christina M. |
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| Předmět: |
ATHLETIC ability & psychology
REGULATION of body weight COMMITMENT (Psychology) GROUNDED theory HEALTH attitudes INTERVIEWING MARTIAL arts RESEARCH methodology SCIENTIFIC observation SELF-perception SPORTS psychology QUALITATIVE research SPORTS events CONTINUING education units ELITE athletes DESCRIPTIVE statistics PSYCHOLOGY |
| Zdroj: | Journal of Athletic Training (Allen Press); Jan/Feb2013, Vol. 48 Issue 1, p99-108, 10p, 2 Diagrams, 1 Chart |
| Abstrakt: | Context: The combination of extensive weight loss and inadequate nutritional strategies used to lose weight rapidly for competition in weight-category sports may negatively affect athletic performance and health. Objective: To explore the reasoning of elite combat-sport athletes about rapid weight loss and regaining of weight before competitions. Design: Qualitative study. Setting: With grounded theory as a theoretical framework, we employed a cross-examinational approach including interviews, observations, and Internet sources. Sports observations were obtained at competitions and statements by combat-sport athletes were collected on the Internet. Patients or Other Participants: Participants in the interviews were 14 Swedish national team athletes (9 men, 5 women; age range, 18 to 36 years) in 3 Olympic combat sports (wrestling, judo, and taekwondo). Data Collection and Analysis: Semistructured interviews with 14 athletes from the Swedish national teams in wrestling, judo, and taekwondo were conducted at a location of each participant's choice. The field observations were conducted at European competitions in these 3 sports. In addition, interviews and statements made by athletes in combat sports were collected on the Internet. Results: Positive aspects of weight regulation other than gaining physical advantage emerged from the data during the analysis: sport identity, mental diversion, and mental advantage. Together and individually, these categories point toward the positive aspects of weight regulation experienced by the athletes. Practicing weight regulation mediates a self-image of being "a real athlete." Weight regulation is also considered mentally important as a part of the precompetition preparation, serving as a coping strategy by creating a feeling of increased focus and commitment. Moreover, a mental advantage relative to one's opponents can be gained through the practice of weight regulation. Conclusions: Weight regulation has mentally important functions extending beyond the common notion that combat- sport athletes reduce their weight merely to gain a physical edge over their opponents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Databáze: | Complementary Index |
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