Tag: Sports psychology

According to studies, up to 45% of female and 19% of male athletes struggle with some form of disordered eating or an eating disorder. Understanding the most common eating disorders in athletes is a crucial step toward recognizing the risks and providing life-saving support for those impacted by this silent struggle.

According to reports, Simone Biles and other gymnasts were so underfed at the infamous Karolyi Ranch training camps that they would sneak into the kitchen to find food. These firsthand accounts bring a disturbing context to the question of whether Simone Biles was malnourished during her training, highlighting the fine line between intense discipline and dangerous nutritional neglect in elite sports.

A 2023 study published in *Pakistan Languages and Humanities Review* found that gymnastic athletes demonstrated significantly higher self-control regarding junk food consumption compared to non-athletes. However, the modern approach to a gymnast’s diet is far more nuanced than simple restriction, highlighting that even elite athletes incorporate "fun foods" in moderation.

According to a New Zealand study, over half of all actively exercising females could be at risk of developing Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S). Understanding how to overcome RED-S is critical for any athlete facing this condition, which impacts both health and performance due to insufficient energy intake.

Chronic low energy availability from an energy intake and expenditure mismatch, the core cause of RED-S, can impact multiple body systems, including reproductive health and bone density. Addressing this deficit is the foundation of a successful recovery, allowing the body to restore optimal health and athletic performance.

Affecting athletes of any gender and ability level, Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) is a serious condition caused by insufficient energy intake to support high levels of physical activity. This guide explains how to fix RED-S syndrome through a multidisciplinary approach focusing on health and sustainable performance.

During a past Olympic Games, Simone Biles was revealed to have eaten separately from other athletes in the village cafeteria, a personal choice stemming from severe social anxiety. This sheds light on the immense mental health pressures faced by elite athletes, and provides a direct answer to the question: Does Simone Biles eat separately?

Compulsive exercise affects up to 80% of people with anorexia nervosa, and while not an official diagnosis, is often associated with the unofficial term anorexia athletica. This raises a key question for athletes and fitness enthusiasts: **is anorexia athletica a disorder characterized by a compulsion to exercise**?

While both are serious conditions involving restrictive eating and low body weight, a key difference is that anorexia athletica is specifically driven by a desire for improved athletic performance, while anorexia nervosa is primarily fueled by a fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image. Understanding how does anorexia athletica differ from anorexia nervosa is crucial for proper identification and treatment within the athletic community and beyond.

Recent studies show that nearly 50% of female athletes and 32% of elite male athletes may experience low energy availability, a key contributor to a lack of energy in sports. This widespread issue goes beyond simple tiredness, affecting an athlete's health and competitive edge.