Langbein, Rachel, Jackman, Patricia, Allen-Collinson, Jacquelyn and Martin, Daniel (2021) ‘It’s hard to find balance when you’re broken’: Exploring female endurance athletes’ psychological experience of recovery from relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S). In: Women in Sport and Exercise Conference 2021.
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Langbeing WISEAN 2021.pdf - Whole Document Restricted to Repository staff only 5MB |
Item Type: | Conference or Workshop contribution (Presentation) |
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Item Status: | Live Archive |
Abstract
Background: Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport describes a syndrome of impaired health and performance caused by low energy availability (LEA). It has been proposed that psychological factors may precede or result from RED-S, but a continued reliance on objective and physiological markers of LEA has largely neglected the importance of psychological factors underlying recovery from RED-S.
Aim and methods: This integrated methods multiple case-study qualitatively explored female endurance athletes’ psychological experience of recovery from RED-S. Eight female endurance athletes (M age = 29.75 years, SD = 5.03) identifying as ‘in recovery’, or having ‘recovered’ from RED-S, participated in the following tasks: (i) topical life-history interview to elucidate psychological antecedents and consequences of RED-S; (ii) a three-week online diary and one-week PhotoVoice task to capture psychological stressors encountered when managing energy availability; and (iii) a follow-up stimulated recall interview encouraging further reflection on their RED-S ‘recovery’ journey and experience during the study.
Results: Thematic and cross- case analysis generated seven common sources of psychological conflict: body image or weight concerns; eating opportunities; exercise volume; media influences; physiological symptoms of RED-S; social situations; and professional education and advice. Subjective appraisals of, and responses to, these stressors were captured by four themes: in two minds (cognitive appraisals); an emotional rollercoaster (affective appraisals); the only way is through (adaptive behavioural responses); and giving in (maladaptive behavioural responses).
Conclusion: These findings contribute valuable insights into psychological mechanisms underlying efforts to overcome RED-S by highlighting the importance of psychological wellbeing in restoring and maintaining adequate energy availability.
Keywords: | sport, psychology |
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Subjects: | C Biological Sciences > C600 Sports Science |
Divisions: | College of Social Science > School of Sport and Exercise Science |
ID Code: | 48572 |
Deposited On: | 17 Mar 2022 15:17 |
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