The Value of Athlete Well-Being
Survey highlights lifestyle practices and support.
Athletes aren’t so focused on their sport of choice that they’re willing to forgo general wellness for the sake of a personal record. In fact, according to a survey, today’s international athletes see the value in athlete well-being as well as optimal performance.
The survey, conducted by RMIT University researchers in Melbourne, Australia, and the New South Wales Office of Sport in Sydney, identified the factors athletes think are critical to success. Results showed that they appreciate a more holistic athletic development model that not only focuses on performance but also includes social support, education, recovery practices and access to service providers for overall athlete well-being.
The study authors concluded that “. . . athletes are individuals and their needs and expectations will vary . . . . Nevertheless . . . support providers and athletes should be aware and informed of these potential factors to facilitate the most effective support for and development of athletes at the elite and pre-elite level.”
The study is published in BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation (2022; 14 [2]).
Shirley Archer-Eichenberger, JD, MA
Shirley Archer, JD, MA, is an internationally acknowledged integrative health and mindfulness specialist, best-selling author of 16 fitness and wellness books translated into multiple languages and sold worldwide, award-winning health journalist, contributing editor to Fitness Journal, media spokesperson, and IDEA's 2008 Fitness Instructor of the Year. She's a 25-year industry veteran and former health and fitness educator at the Stanford Prevention Research Center, who has served on multiple industry committees and co-authored trade books and manuals for ACE, ACSM and YMCA of the USA. She has appeared on TV worldwide and was a featured trainer on America's Next Top Model.
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