Training Conditions and Psychological Health: Eating Behavior Disorders in Spanish High-Performance Women’s Olympic Wrestling Athletes—A Qualitative Study

Marina Rueda Flores, Daniel Mon-López (), Javier Gil-Ares and Javier Coterón
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Marina Rueda Flores: Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte (INEF—Sports Department), Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Daniel Mon-López: Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte (INEF—Sports Department), Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Javier Gil-Ares: Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte (INEF—Social Sciences Applied to Physical Activity, Sport and Leisure Department), Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Javier Coterón: Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte (INEF—Social Sciences Applied to Physical Activity, Sport and Leisure Department), Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 3, 1-17

Abstract: (1) Background: the aim of this study was to determine the factors that affect the occurrence of behaviors related to possible eating disorders in Spanish high-performance Olympic wrestling athletes. (2) Methods: The sample consisted of 22 elite female wrestlers selected through purposive sampling with inclusion criteria of (i) having been a national champion, (ii) having been part of the Spanish team, and (iii) suffering or having suffered from an eating disorder. The semistructured interviews were conducted online and lasted between 20 and 40 min. A statistical analysis was performed with NVivo10 software. (3) Results: the athletes showed a series of issues grouped into three main themes, which were divided into the following categories—firstly, the reasons why wrestlers lose weight; secondly, the inadequate procedures they use; and, finally, the reference persons involved in the process. (4) Conclusions: The training conditions in high-performance sports have psychological and behavioral effects on wrestlers. Wrestlers have to move down to lower categories; however, they do not take into account how this practice influences their health when using inadequate procedures. Rapid and significant weight loss produces negative effects, especially in the female population, generating an incidence of eating disorders. The information obtained provided elements of interest for reflection on possible solutions to prevent existing eating disorders.

Keywords: psychological aspects; Olympic wrestling; female wrestlers; eating disorders; qualitative research (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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