Abstract details
| Abstract-ID: | 1919 |
| Title of the paper: | Exploring low sex drive, eating disorder risk and exercise behaviours among professional and elite male rugby union players in Ireland. |
| Authors: | Sweeney, G., McCardle, S., Collins, K. |
| Institution: | Technological University Dublin |
| Department: | Biological Health and Sports Sciences |
| Country: | Ireland |
| Abstract text | INTRODUCTION: An athletes drive for muscularity and aesthetic satisfaction is a mediating factor of Eating Disorder (ED) symptomology and low sex drive. Rugby Union exhibits large variations in expected physique profiles norms across positional groups of backs (low body mass, low body fat) and forwards (high body mass, high body fat). The pursuit of established typical positional norms and physique ideals may increase body image concerns that could influence ED symptomology and risk exposure to Low Energy Availability (LEA). The aim of this research was to explore the prevalence of ED, low sex drive and exercise behaviours among male Rugby Union players. METHODS: Participants were recruited from male professional Rugby Union teams and elite Rugby Union pathway squads in Ireland. Athletes were eligible for inclusion if they were over 18 years of age and training at least 4 times per week. Participants completed an online survey which included 71 questions (Q) comprising the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) (Q = 28), the Exercise Addiction Inventory (EAI) (Q = 6) and the sub-section relating to sex drive from the Low Energy Availability in Males Questionnaire (LEAM-Q) (Q = 4). A further 33 questions related to nutrition support (Q=8) and the participant background (Q=25) were also included. RESULTS: 97 Rugby Union players participated (55% professionally contracted; 45% non-professional elite pathway players). The mean age of participants was 21.8 (± 4.7) years. The highest competitive playing levels of participants included senior international (n=10), senior provincial (n=36), national age grade (n=55), national sevens (n=4), club adult (n=1) and university (n =1). Nine percent (n = 9) of participants scored above the threshold for the EDE-Q Global score of 1.68 indicating the presence of disordered eating risk. Twenty percent (n = 20) reported a low sex drive score. Sixteen percent (n=16) of participants scored above the cut off on the EAI suggesting the presence of exercise compulsion. All participants reported they had access to a professional nutritionist. Participants who played in the forwards, regardless of professional status, showed higher EDE-Q eating concerns (p = 0.03). There was no significant difference between professional status or position when determining sex drive status. CONCLUSION: The practical application of these findings points to increasing the awareness of practitioners and stakeholders within the elite and professional rugby context to drive screening and intervention. Further research is needed to understand the contextual risk factors that may be associated with this symptomology in male Rugby Union players. |
| Topic: | Nutrition |
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