The Weight of Victory: Exploring Short- and Long-term Health Outcomes in Former Male & Female Elite Athletes from Weight-sensitive Sports

Norwegian School of Sport Sciences

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Fertility; Quality of Life; Body Image; Musculoskeletal Health; Disordered Eating; Mental Health

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06801210

841008

Details and patient eligibility

About

The health of former elite athletes has been identified as a critical research gap where there is limited knowledge about both short- and long-term consequences after ending their careers. The transition phase from an active elite career to everyday life has been shown to be particularly problematic, yet this issue has been little studied among former Norwegian elite athletes. Furthermore, questions remain regarding the health of athletes from weight-sensitive sports, such as weight-class, aesthetic, and certain endurance sports. These athletes face specific challenges related to maintaining a certain physique and frequent changes in body weight during their active careers. This group has been shown to be vulnerable to a range of problematic health outcomes related to low energy availability, and little is known about the long-term effects of a career involving this.

Therefore, the overall purpose of the project is to map the mental and physical health of former elite athletes. At the same time, there will be a particular focus on the differences between weight-sensitive and less weight-sensitive sports, different types of sports, gender, as well as previous dieting and eating behaviors.

Full description

The project will be a quantitative cross-sectional study that includes former elite athletes from both weight-sensitive and less weight-sensitive sports, as well as a sample from the general population for comparison. Information will be collected via an electronic questionnaire that surveys a range of physical and mental health variables among the participants. In addition, behavioral variables related to impulse control, eating and dieting patterns, and weight regulation will be assessed.

Furthermore, the project is expected to contribute new knowledge by identifying health challenges and the explanatory variables for these challenges among former elite athletes. Thus, the project can inform the development of targeted preventive measures, interventions, and policy changes that can improve health and quality of life both during and after athletes' careers and be of significant importance for future athletes.

Enrollment: 1,500 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Represented the national team at senior and/or junior level, (Non-organized sports) competed at national and/or international level. , >1 year since retirement , >18 years old,and a proficient level of Norwegian reading and writing skills

Exclusion criteria

Trial design

1,500 participants in 3 patient groups

Former elite athletes from weight-sensitive sports

Description:

Former elite athletes from weight-sensitive sports. Including former elite athletes from weight-class, gravitational, aesthetic, and certain endurance type of sports.

Former elite athletes from less weight-sensitive sports

Description:

Former elite athletes from less weight-sensitive sports. Including team sports (e.g. handball, soccer, basketball)

General population

Description:

An age matched reference group for the groups of former elite athletes. Includes a sample from the general population without a background as an elite athlete.