We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Differences between boulderers and top rope climbers in the relationship between anxiety and disordered eating.
- Authors
Modaberi, Shaghayegh; van Andel, Steven; Saemi, Esmaeel; Joubert, Lanae M.; Taheri, Morteza
- Abstract
Purpose: Disordered eating (DE) has been associated with elevated anxiety, high stress, and low self-esteem and occurs often in sports where weight is a limiting factor. Sport climbing in general provides a combination in these aspects but the relevance of a low body weight differs in the different climbing types (e.g., weight supported top rope climbing vs non-supported bouldering). To date, these differences have yet been investigated, while they might provide useful insight into the mechanisms of disordered eating and potential preventative strategies. This study aimed to assess the influence of different types of climbing (bouldering vs top rope) on the relation between anxiety and DE. Methods: 59 rock climbers (male, n = 38; female, n = 21; mean age = 28.33 ± 7.4 years) completed a survey (including the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire, Mental toughness Questionnaire, Cattell's Anxiety Scale Questionnaire) investigating preferred climbing style, trait anxiety, mental toughness, and eating behavior. Results: Boulderers showed a higher anxiety score compared to top rope climbers. Among boulderers, higher anxiety levels were associated with lower mental toughness. Among top rope climbers, anxiety was associated with emotional and external eating behavior. Conclusion: Findings showed a higher anxiety in boulderers but no greater measures of DE. It is possible that, through their experience in a high anxiety environment, boulderers have been able to develop effective coping strategies that have a protective effect against DE.
- Subjects
EATING disorders; ANXIETY disorders; EMOTIONAL eating; TOUGHNESS (Personality trait); FOOD habits; COMPULSIVE eating
- Publication
Sport Sciences for Health, 2023, Vol 19, Issue 3, p805
- ISSN
1824-7490
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s11332-022-00960-x