Multidimensional background examination of young underweight Japanese women: focusing on their dieting experiences

IntroductionThis study examines the background of underweight young women in Japan from multiple perspectives, focusing on whether they have ever dieted.MethodsA screening survey was administered to 5,905 underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2) women aged 18–29 years, who could report their birth weight recorded in their mother-child handbook. Valid responses were obtained from 400 underweight and 189 normal-weight women. The survey collected data regarding height, weight (BMI), body image and perception of weight, dieting experience, exercise habits from elementary school age onwards, and current eating habits. Additionally, five standardized questionnaires were used (EAT-26, eHEALTH, SATAQ-3 JS, TIPI-J, and RSES). The primary analysis was a comparative analysis (t-test/χ2)—with the presence or absence of underweight and diet experience as independent variables, and each questionnaire as a dependent variable.ResultsThe screening survey revealed that approximately 24% of the total population was underweight, with a low mean BMI. Of the respondents, more than half reported their body image as skinny and a small percentage as obese. Compared with the non-diet-experienced group (NDG), the diet-experienced group (DG) had a significantly higher proportion of past to current exercise habits. There was a significantly higher percentage of disagreement responses from the DG for weight and food gain than for the NDG. The NDG weighed significantly less than the DG in terms of birth weight, and lost weight easier than the DG. Additionally, the NDG was significantly more likely to agree with increasing weight and food intake. The NDG’s exercise habits were below 40% from elementary school age to the present, predominantly owing to a dislike for exercise and a lack of opportunity to implement it. In the standardized questionnaire, the DG was significantly higher for EAT-26, eHEALTH, SATAQ-3 JS, and Conscientiousness (TIPI-J), whereas the NDG was only significantly higher for Openness (TIPI-J).DiscussionThe results suggest the need for different health education programs for underweight women who desire to lose weight and experience dieting and for those who do not. This study’s results are reflected in the development of sports opportunities optimized for each individual, and in the development of measures to ensure adequate nutritional intake

The association between subjective anti-doping knowledge and objective knowledge among Japanese university athletes: a cross-sectional study

IntroductionThis study aimed to assess the association between subjective anti-doping knowledge (subjective ADK) and objective anti-doping knowledge (objective ADK) among Japanese university athletes, framed within the context of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB).MethodsEligible participants were 486 university athletes [320 men (65.8%), 166 women; mean age of 18.9 ± 1.0 years]. The participants categorized themselves in terms of the quality of their anti-doping knowledge. This assessment resulted in an independent variable coded as “(1) substantial lack of adequate knowledge,” “(2) some lack of adequate knowledge,” “(3) fair amount of knowledge” or “(4) good amount of knowledge.” Objective ADK was assessed using the Athlete Learning Program about Health and Anti-Doping (ALPHA) test, a set of questions derived from the ALPHA—a former World Anti-Doping Agency e-learning program. The test comprises 12 questions (four choices each; passing index: ≧10 points or 80% correct answer rate). ANCOVA was conducted using subjective ADK as an independent variable and ALPHA scores as a dependent variable, adjusting for confounding factors (anti-doping experience).ResultsThe ALPHA corrected answer rate across subjective ADK levels for the group were 73.10% for “(1) substantial lack of adequate knowledge,” 71.97% for “(2) some lack of adequate knowledge,” 75.18% for “(3) fair amount of knowledge” and 72.86% for “(4) good amount of knowledge.” Comparison between different levels of subjective ADK revealed no significant differences in ALPHA score considering the main effects or any of their interactions.DiscussionThe present results revealed that Japanese university athletes’ subjective ADK did not match their objective ADK. In the context of the TPB, there may be limitations in the perceived behavioral control in anti-doping knowledge. Even if athletes view doping as a wrongful act and have formed attitudes and subjective norms to comply with the rules, the results suggest that errors may occur in the composition of behavioral intentions due to a lack of knowledge. This could lead to the possibility of facing the risk of unintentional anti-doping rule violations. It highlights the need for targeted educational interventions to align subjective ADK of athletes with their objective ADK

力量調整課題の短期記憶における筋感覚的イメージの干渉効果

The purpose of this study was to examine the functional equivalence of kinesthetic imagery and movement in experiments using an isometric force task. This experiment involved the reproduction of a pressure control task (2 kg). Three independent groups (N=48) were included : 1 kg force group (1 kgFG), 2kg force group (2 kgFG), 3kg force group (3 kgFG). The experimental protocol consisted of four parts : 1) original learning session (40trials) ; 2) pretest session (3 trials) ; 3) 10trials with experimental session (1 kgFG=10trials with actual trial 1 kg ; 2 kgFG=10trials with actual trial 2 kg ; 3 kgFG=10trials with actual trial 3 kg) ; 4) recall (post) test session (3 trials). Constant errors were examined between groups by ANOVA. CE of 3 kgFG in recall test were significantly larger than those of 1 kgFG and 2 kgFG

Impact of anti-doping education and doping control experience on anti-doping knowledge in Japanese university athletes: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background This study was conducted to elucidate the anti-doping (AD) education, doping control experience, and AD knowledge according to the World Anti-doping Code (Code) of Japanese university athletes. Methods We collected data from 514 male athletes (Mage = 19.53 years, SD = 1.13) and 629 female athletes (Mage = 20.99 years, SD = 1.07). We asked them about their experience undergoing doping control and the AD education they had received. Then, we assessed their AD knowledge using the World Anti-Doping Agency’s Athlete Learning Program about Health and AD (ALPHA) test. Results The results showed that 2.54% of the participants had undergone doping control. Further, 30.10% received AD education at least once, and 20.82% received AD education more than once. When comparing the ALPHA scores of athletes with/without doping test experience, we observed no significant difference. However, the ALPHA scores of athletes with/without AD education were significantly different; specifically, athletes who received AD education more than once had significantly higher ALPHA scores than non-educated athletes. Conclusion These results revealed that doping control experience was not related to AD knowledge and that AD education was associated with AD knowledge, suggesting that athletes who receive AD education more than once have more accurate AD knowledge than less educated athletes on this topic. The importance of AD education in promoting understanding of AD according to the Code in sports is highlighted in this study

The impact of doping risk perception on supplement avoidance: Mediating role of sports supplement beliefs

Aim: Sports supplement use by athletes can lead to unintentional anti-doping rule violations (ADRVs) due to the contamination of prohibited substances. This phenomenon underscores the need for athletes to reconsider their supplement use, assessing its safety, efficacy, and necessity—a process referred to as ‘reconsideration of supplement use’ in this study. Additionally, ingesting sports supplements may escalate to doping when athletes believe they improve performance, a notion measured by the Sports Supplement Belief Scale (SSBS), which assesses the degree to which athletes expect supplements to enhance their performance. Understanding the factors that may encourage and prevent an athlete from using supplements is crucial. This study explores the mediating influence of the perceived risk of ADRV due to supplements, reconsideration of supplement use, and sports supplement beliefs as factors influencing athletes’ decisions to use supplements as factors influencing athletes' decisions to use supplements. Methods: In Study 1, a Japanese version of the Sports Supplement Belief Scale (SSBS-J) was created using back-translation. In order to evaluate the reliability and validity of the scale, we utilized data from 356 university athletes, which were divided into two distinct cohorts. A two-step statistical analysis was implemented involving Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). The survey included questions about the frequency and number of supplements used. Internal consistency and fit of the SSBS-J were evaluated using EFA and CFA, and the scale’s ability to determine supplement use was assessed using linear regression analysis and t-tests. In Study 2, 525 university athletes (64.6% men, Mage = 18.7 ± 0.7 years) were asked to complete measures related to the perceived risk of committing an ADRV due to supplementation. Results: The SSBS-J showed high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.876), a one-factor structure similar to the original version in the EFA, and a good model fit in the CFA, thereby supporting construct validity. Linear regression results indicated that the SSBS-J scores were significantly associated with the frequency and number of supplements used. Significant differences were found between the scores of supplement users (21.51 ± 6.54) and non-users (16.48 ± 6.14) (p < 0.001). Next, discriminant analysis correctly classified 64.7% of supplement users and 61.0% of non-users. In examining the direct effect of ADRV awareness on supplement use, a significant negative path coefficient of -0.44 was observed (p < 0.001). The path coefficients from ADRV awareness to the reconsideration of supplement use and from a reconsideration of supplement use to supplement use through SSBS-J were all significant (p < 0.001), with an indirect effect path coefficient of 0.06. Conclusions: These findings suggest that ADRV awareness can influence reconsideration of supplement use and subsequently deter supplement use mediated by sport supplement beliefs. These insights emphasize the importance of promoting doping risk awareness, revisiting supplement use, and mitigating sport supplement beliefs to reduce inappropriate or unnecessary supplement use among athletes. From an anti-doping perspective, this insight could be valuable in guiding athlete education regarding supplement use

Effects of Different Exercise Conditions on Antioxidant Potential and Mental Assessment

Exercise increases oxidative stress, leading the body to strengthen its antioxidant defenses, thus reducing the incidence of major diseases. As these associations are relatively unclear for ordinary levels of exercise for reduced stress, this study evaluated the effects of different exercise conditions on diacron-reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs), biological antioxidant potential (BAP), and subjective mood. Forty-nine students (22.4 ± 2.6 years) were assessed using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) before and after exercising for 60 min. Participants were divided into two groups: Group A engaged in compulsory sports and Group B in freely chosen sports. d-ROMs and BAP were measured, and their modified ratio was calculated as an index of antioxidant potential. Physiological evaluation showed significant improvements in BAP and the BAP/d-ROMs ratio, irrespective of exercise condition (p p p p p < 0.03). Assessment of antioxidant status before and after exercise may provide an objective index of mental and physical conditioning

Effects of Different Exercise Conditions on Antioxidant Potential and Mental Assessment

Exercise increases oxidative stress, leading the body to strengthen its antioxidant defenses, thus reducing the incidence of major diseases. As these associations are relatively unclear for ordinary levels of exercise for reduced stress, this study evaluated the effects of different exercise conditions on diacron-reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs), biological antioxidant potential (BAP), and subjective mood. Forty-nine students (22.4 ± 2.6 years) were assessed using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) before and after exercising for 60 min. Participants were divided into two groups: Group A engaged in compulsory sports and Group B in freely chosen sports. d-ROMs and BAP were measured, and their modified ratio was calculated as an index of antioxidant potential. Physiological evaluation showed significant improvements in BAP and the BAP/d-ROMs ratio, irrespective of exercise condition (p &lt; 0.001, p &lt; 0.01). Comparison between the exercise conditions revealed a significant difference in the modified ratio (p &lt; 0.02). In mood assessment, scores on emotion-related scales without vigor improved significantly under both exercise conditions (p &lt; 0.001). Mental changes were evident after exercise, and potential antioxidant capacity was higher in freely chosen sports (p &lt; 0.03). Assessment of antioxidant status before and after exercise may provide an objective index of mental and physical conditioning