Using a daily diary approach to understand the psychological experiences of making weight

Sitch, M. and Day, M. C. (2015) Using a daily diary approach to understand the psychological experiences of making weight. The Sport Psychologist, 29 (1). pp. 29-40. ISSN 0888-4781

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Abstract

Making weight refers to the process of reducing body weight to compete in weight categorised sports. The current study explored judo athletes’ psychological experiences of making weight. Six International standard judo athletes participated for the length of time they required to make weight. An unstructured diary was used to collect data daily, supported by a follow-up interview. Data was analysed using a holistic content analysis. Emergent themes included initiating the making weight process, competing demands of dual roles, temptation, impacts of restricted nutrition, and the desire for social support. Athlete stories provided rich descriptions of their experiences, revealing the extent to which difficulties were concealed and the process of making weight was normalized. Their accounts highlight the challenges associated with social support but the value of emotional disclosure. Future research should explore the potential uses of diaries as a form of disclosure.

Item Type: Articles
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure > GV557 Sports
Divisions: Research Centres > CCASES
Academic Areas > Institute of Sport > Area > Exercise Physiology
Depositing User: Melissa Day
Date Deposited: 13 Jun 2017 13:25
Last Modified: 22 Nov 2019 09:44
URI: https://eprints.chi.ac.uk/id/eprint/2772

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