Sports. For every person, that word has a different meaning, a different story, a different perception. For some, sports are an activity to keep them busy away from school hours. For others, sports become a lifestyle that gladly take up all their dedication and time. Athletes all over the world give up their social lives for a social experience that becomes their lives. Through sweat, tears, and dedication, all athletes give everything they have into succeeding in their sport. For some, this life becomes an obsession, and at what point does this commitment and determination become dangerous?
If you look into every sport, there is always a "standard" body type in the successful athletes of that sport. Football, soccer, rugby, basketball, and sprinting events typically require fast muscle reactions to cover a short distance quickly and accurately. Participants of these sports spend time in the weight room building their muscle reactors, which leads to a strong and muscular appearance. Then, take a look at participants in long distance or time consuming activities. Long distance runners, dancers, gymnast, and figure skaters are typically lean and small in frame. This body type is typically successful because the idea is to remain as small as possible to be efficient in energy spending. The smaller you are, the less weight your body must carry when covering long distance, therefore making you lighter and faster. Wrestling requires a specific weight to even participate. Because of weight classes, all body types are found in wrestling, but the sacrifices and self control needed for the sport are high.
All athletes strive to be the best they can possibly be in their sport, and always looking for ways to improve. Unfortunately, many look towards their current body build as something slowing them down. They may also feel the pressure to match the "typical" body standard of their sport. This is especially common in sports that require endurance and encourage a small frame build. Commitments to these sports often find themselves dieting and engaging in restrictive eating behaviors to either maintain their weight, or loose weight. Over time, these behaviors become obsessive thoughts and develop into a negative body image.
After obsessing over body image and engaging in unhealthy eating behaviors, many athletes find themselves suffering from an eating disorder. In their efforts to change their physical appearance, they have also damaged their mental health. Their strict lifestyle developed to make themselves better; is slowly stripping down their strength. They also experience the unhealthy consequences that comes with depriving their bodies of nutrients needed to succeed. Energy and motivation is short lived, or even completely absent. Bone and cardiovascular health is negatively impacted due to lack of nutrients needed to sustain strength and bodily fucntions. In females, the menstrual cycle is disrupted, and periods completely stop. Athletes find themselves struggling to survive practices, and some may even become depressed.
Eating disorders typically happen in people you would least expect it. Body image issues are typically found in those with strong personalities, are perfectionist, and aim to please. Athletes are these traits and more, which make them at high risk in developing a negative body image. It is important for athletes, parents, and coaches to understand the signs of a developing issue, and to address the situation.
Sports are for personal development, developing a healthy lifestyle, and creating healthy relationships. Remember the goal is to be healthy and successful; and that looks different on everyone.
