A research to prevent health problems specific to female athletes

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K11454
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 59020:Sports sciences-related
• Research Institution: Gifu Shotoku Gakuen University
• Principal Investigator: Kemuriyama Chihiro 岐阜聖徳学園大学, 教育学部, 准教授 (10615553)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 尼崎 光洋 愛知大学, 地域政策学部, 准教授 (70613967)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 女性アスリート / Female Athlete Triad / 食行動異常 / 指導者への依存性 / 健康行動理論

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between female athletes' dependence on their instructors and abnormal eating behaviors, and to propose supportive measures to prevent Female Athlete Triad (FAT).
The results showed a high level of abnormal eating behavior among those with subjective symptoms of FAT. In addition, absolute trust in the instructor was associated with a higher tendency to accept inappropriate and extreme dietary restrictions, and a high demand to be understood by the instructor increased the risk of postprandial depression and binge eating.
The results also showed that it is difficult to control abnormal eating behaviors through efforts to increase self-efficacy for female athletes with subjective symptoms of FAT, which is generally considered effective, and it is important to utilize psychological and material support from others.

Free Research Field

スポーツ科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は、女性アスリートが自身の心身の健康問題の解決を指導者頼りにするのではなく、自分の問題として自ら積極的に対処し改善のために働きかけるなど、主体的に自己管理をすることを促すための支援方法を考案するうえで重要な研究である。特に、FATの深刻化に大きく影響する異常食行動に至るまでの心理的プロセスを示した健康行動理論を用いた検討を行うことにより、より効果的な支援方法の開発及び支援システムの構築が可能となることから、学術的にも社会的にも意義深いと考える。