BODY WEIGHT REDUCTION PRACTICES OF FEMALE ATHLETES
Journal Title: Medicina Sportiva - Year 2014, Vol 18, Issue 4
Abstract
Objectives: To examine relationships between self-assessment of one’s slenderness, actual body shape, body weight reduction practices and coexisting menstrual irregularities in female athletes practicing various sports.Methods: 345 female athletes of different sports, aged 13-18, participated in the study. The control group (N) comprised 140 non-training girls. Firstly, subjects’ body height and weight were measured to determine the Body Mass Index (BMI). Next, the subjects had to fill in a questionnaire. The questionnaire items were related to three issues: self-assessment of one’s own body weight, practices used to lose weight, and any menstrual irregularities.Results: The research revealed that the athletes’ decisions to reduce body weight were taken by the athletes themselves or were due to coach’s pressure. Girls who seek information about rational weight control practices look for guidelines mainly in women’s magazines. As a result they use drastic and irrational methods to lose weight, which are hazardous to their health.Conclusions: The most drastic examples of weight reduction practices were revealed by female judo practitioners, for whom body weight is strongly associated with the sport result due of strict weight categories in this sports discipline. The data on artistic gymnasts who try to reduce their body weight before competitions are also worrying. Their main goal is to achieve a flat stomach, which may positively influence the referee’s assessment.
Authors and Affiliations
Katarzyna Antosiak-Cyrak, Małgorzata Habiera, Elżbieta Rostkowska
Keywords
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- EP ID EP74248
- DOI 10.5604/17342260.1133105
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