Body Weight ChangesFMABNCT04559542
Body Weight Regulation, Disordered Eating Behaviour, and Experiences of Sexual Harassment in Female Martial Art Athletes
An observational study of Body Weight Changes and Eating Disorder Symptom, run by Norwegian School of Sport Sciences at 1 site in Norway.
Trial summary
Athletes in martial arts compete in categories separated by body weight, hence, many athletes need to adjust their habitual body weight during periods with competition preparation. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 16 to 40 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Body Weight Changes, Eating Disorder Symptom, Sexual Harassment
- How many people
- 33 participants
- Where
- 1 siteNorway
- Study dates
- 10 Sep 2020to 30 May 2021
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 16 to 40 years
- Women only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult
Study population: Female martial art athletes within sports of boxsing, thaiboxing, kickboxsing, judo, jui jitsu, brasilian jui jitsu, submission wrestling, mixed martial arts, taekwondo og karate.
Who may be able to join
- martial art athlete
- living and training in Oslo-area (main capital) in Norway
Who cannot join
- not matching sex, age or sport criteria
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Management of Body Weight Regulation, Symptoms of Low Energy Availability, Body Acceptance, Eating Disorders, and Sexual Harassment Among Female Martial Art Athletes, and Impact of COVID-19 on Training and Sport Participation
Athletes in martial arts compete in categories separated by body weight, hence, many athletes need to adjust their habitual body weight during periods with competition preparation. Athletes competing in weight sensitive sports are previously identified with an increased risk for symptoms of low energy availability and of disordered eating. The methods used for body weight regulation are varied, and athletes without professional competent support, are prone to rely on harmful methods. And of importance, female athletes respond more negatively to attempts of body weight reduction with regards to health effects.
Athletes of martial art are not surrounded by the same professional competence seen in other organized sports within the international sport federations, and specifically health competence is lacking. Additionally, numbers of females competing in martial art have increased the last decade, but they still practice in a sport culture dominated by males; both with reference to the high number of male participants, and with reference to the coaches within this sport. Sports involving practice in intimate, physical interaction with coaches or opposing athletes, and in sports where clothing is minimal, may be a high risk of experiences of sexual harassment. There have been a few reports on harmful methods of body weight regulation within martial arts, however, little knowledge exists on the practice by female martial art athletes, and the related health effects. Information on experiences of sexual harassment have been sparse in sport generally, with very little knowledge from sports like martial arts specifically. This study aims to explore the practice of female martial art athletes on body weight regulation, recovery strategies, their body acceptance and symptoms of eating disorders, and any experiences of sexual harassment. Additionally, with regards to the recent onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, this study also explores the related experiences by the athletes on training- and eating routines.
Read the detailed description
Low energy availability is a situation triggered by a low energy intake relatively to the total energy needs. It may typically occur when energy expenditure is increased by sporting activities concurrently to an unconscious or voluntarily insufficient increase in energy intake. This may cause a condition called Relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-s), indicating a high risk for several negative health effects and performance deterioration. Athletes competing in body weight sensitive sports or sports categorized by body weight, have been identified with higher prevalence of RED-s, and specifically young females. Although it is the total difference between energy needs and energy availability that causes such scenario, the methods used to regulate body weight do also matter. Athletes without proper guidance on nutritional needs, recovery strategies, and optimal body weight regulation have previously reported use of harmful dieting methods, like purging methods, dehydration methods, and use of pharmaceuticals. Thus, young females competing in weight sensitive sport, not receiving any professional health and performance coaching are at specific risk for acutely and longterm negative health effects from chronic or repeated cycles of body weight reduction.
In a rapidly expanding martial arts industry in the US, there have been several reports on sexual assault. Still, no systematic and first-hand documentation on this issue has been completed. In Norway the same increase in popularity of material arts are noticed, an interest also seen among females. With regards to the limited knowledge on exercise practice, eating routines and health symptoms in female material art athletes, this study aims to expand this. By relying on a cross sectional cohort design with systematic registration of outcomes, this study also aim to expand on current limited knowledge on experiences of sexual harassment among females in material arts.
All females aged 16-35 practicing material arts in Oslo (Norway) at the time of recruitment (september-december 2020) will be invited (estimated to be between 200-300 athletes). All participants will receive information on the aim of this study, and must sign informed consent before participation. All data will be measured once per athlete.
- Conditions
- Body Weight Changes, Eating Disorder Symptom, Sexual Harassment, Covid19, RED S
- Keywords
- Mental health, Eating disorders, female athletes, physical health, Body dissatisfaction, Body acceptance, body weight
- Medical subject headings
- Body Weight Changes, Sexual Harassment, COVID-19, Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport, Psychological Well-Being, Feeding and Eating Disorders, Body Weight
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Female material art athletes | Females practicing material art during recruitment time, in Oslo-area in Norway |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Low energy availability for females questionnaire (LEAF-Q)
Evaluating intensity in symptoms of low energy availability, with one general score, one subscale measuring symptoms of menstrual irregularities, and one subscale measuring symptoms of gastrointestinal dysfunction; the three scales having cut-off scores of ≥8 , ≥4 and ≥2, with higher scorings indicating higher clinical severity.
Measured: Autumn 2020
Eating disorder examination questionnaire (EDE-q)
Measuring symptoms of eating disorders and frequency of eating disordered behavior, resulting in one total score, and four subscales (figure concern, weight concern, eating concern and eating restriction). A total score of ≥2.5 indicates high probability of having an eating disorder. Additionally, the scales measures frequency of disordered eating behavior, for which ≥1 episode per week of binge-eating and/or ≥1 episode per week of purging behavior, over a total period of ≥3 months, qualifies for an diagnosis of eating disorder.
Measured: Autumn 2020
Body Weight regulation strategies, selfreported
Reports on methods complied with, to achieve body weight reduction (Predefined answers, including an "other" option)
Measured: Autumn 2020
Body appreciation scale (BAS-2)
Evaluates the level of body appreciation and acceptance. Questionnaire contains 10-items with a Likert scale ranging from 1 (Never) to 5 (Always), with a higher average score indicating a higher level of body appreciation.
Measured: Autumn 2020
Secondary outcomes (9)
Exercise frequency, selfreported according to a designed questionnaire
Information on exercise frequency (number of sessions per week)
Measured: Autumn 2020
Exercise duration, selfreported according to a designed questionnaire
Information on duration of sessions (minutes per session)
Measured: Autumn 2020
Exercise motivation, selfreported according to a designed questionnaire
Information on motivation for material arts (reason for choosing the sport, and what level of performance one aims for)
Measured: Autumn 2020
Exercise program variation, selfreported according to a designed questionnaire
Information on the different physical activities performed (reports number of different sport activities undertaken during a typical week)
Measured: Autumn 2020
Physical activity level, objectively measured
Level of physical activity (counts/minute) objectively measured for seven consecutive days using the ActiGraph accelerometer (ActiGraph GT3x and GT3x+, Actigraph, LCC, Pensacola, Florida, USA)
Measured: Autumn 2020
Four day weighed diet registration; energyintake
Four day diet registration by pictures and detailed notes, for analyses of energyintake.
Measured: Autumn 2020
Four day weighed diet registration; nutrient intake
Four day diet registration by pictures and detailed notes, for nutrient analyses. The outcomes will be analysed for total intake of micronutrients specifically found to be in risk of insufficient intake among young norwegian females (calcium, vit-D, folic acid, iodine) and considering their specific needs due to high levels of physically activity (iron and vitamin C) (all given by mg nutrient consumed)
Measured: Autumn 2020
Experiences of sexual harassment
Questions on experiences of sexual harassment, current experience of such, and frequency of such episodes.
Measured: Autumn 2020
Effects from Covid-19 pandemic on exercise- and eating routines, designed questionnaire
Questions on whether covid-19 changed their normal exercise and diet routines (yes/no), if this related to increased or decreased training volume or change in activity preferences. Additionally, whether the pandemic period has changed their energy intake (increased/decreased).
Measured: Autumn 2020
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted23 Sep 2020
- Study start10 Sep 2020
- Primary completion30 May 2021
- Study completion30 May 2021
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Body Weight ChangesStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Enrolment
- 33 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Norwegian School of Sport Sciences
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Ostfold University College, University of Oslo
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Professor Jorunn Sundgot-Borgen, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences
- Investigators
- Jorunn Sundgot-Borgen, PhD, Study director, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04559542
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 20/00378
- Acronym
- FMAB
- Status last verified
- Jul 2021
- First submitted
- 25 Aug 2020
- Last updated
- 12 Jul 2021
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Data are kept within the scientific group
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 12 Jul 2021. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Management of Body Weight Regulation, Symptoms of Low Energy Availability, Body Acceptance, Eating Disorders, and Sexual Harassment Among Female Martial Art Athletes, and Impact of COVID-19 on Training and Sport Participation
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04559542
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- FMAB / 20/00378
- Conditions
- Body Weight Changes, Eating Disorder Symptom, Sexual Harassment, Covid19, RED S
- Keywords
- Mental health, Eating disorders, female athletes, physical health, Body dissatisfaction, Body acceptance, body weight
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 33 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Norwegian School of Sport SciencesUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Ostfold University College, University of Oslo
- Study start
- 10 Sep 2020 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 May 2021 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 May 2021 (actual)
- First posted
- 23 Sep 2020 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Athletes in martial arts compete in categories separated by body weight, hence, many athletes need to adjust their habitual body weight during periods with competition preparation. Athletes competing in weight sensitive sports are previously identified with an increased risk for symptoms of low energy availability and of disordered eating. The methods used for body weight regulation are varied, and athletes without professional competent support, are prone to rely on harmful methods. And of importance, female athletes respond more negatively to attempts of body weight reduction with regards to health effects.
Athletes of martial art are not surrounded by the same professional competence seen in other organized sports within the international sport federations, and specifically health competence is lacking. Additionally, numbers of females competing in martial art have increased the last decade, but they still practice in a sport culture dominated by males; both with reference to the high number of male participants, and with reference to the coaches within this sport. Sports involving practice in intimate, physical interaction with coaches or opposing athletes, and in sports where clothing is minimal, may be a high risk of experiences of sexual harassment. There have been a few reports on harmful methods of body weight regulation within martial arts, however, little knowledge exists on the practice by female martial art athletes, and the related health effects. Information on experiences of sexual harassment have been sparse in sport generally, with very little knowledge from sports like martial arts specifically. This study aims to explore the practice of female martial art athletes on body weight regulation, recovery strategies, their body acceptance and symptoms of eating disorders, and any experiences of sexual harassment. Additionally, with regards to the recent onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, this study also explores the related experiences by the athletes on training- and eating routines.
Detailed description
Low energy availability is a situation triggered by a low energy intake relatively to the total energy needs. It may typically occur when energy expenditure is increased by sporting activities concurrently to an unconscious or voluntarily insufficient increase in energy intake. This may cause a condition called Relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-s), indicating a high risk for several negative health effects and performance deterioration. Athletes competing in body weight sensitive sports or sports categorized by body weight, have been identified with higher prevalence of RED-s, and specifically young females. Although it is the total difference between energy needs and energy availability that causes such scenario, the methods used to regulate body weight do also matter. Athletes without proper guidance on nutritional needs, recovery strategies, and optimal body weight regulation have previously reported use of harmful dieting methods, like purging methods, dehydration methods, and use of pharmaceuticals. Thus, young females competing in weight sensitive sport, not receiving any professional health and performance coaching are at specific risk for acutely and longterm negative health effects from chronic or repeated cycles of body weight reduction.
In a rapidly expanding martial arts industry in the US, there have been several reports on sexual assault. Still, no systematic and first-hand documentation on this issue has been completed. In Norway the same increase in popularity of material arts are noticed, an interest also seen among females. With regards to the limited knowledge on exercise practice, eating routines and health symptoms in female material art athletes, this study aims to expand this. By relying on a cross sectional cohort design with systematic registration of outcomes, this study also aim to expand on current limited knowledge on experiences of sexual harassment among females in material arts.
All females aged 16-35 practicing material arts in Oslo (Norway) at the time of recruitment (september-december 2020) will be invited (estimated to be between 200-300 athletes). All participants will receive information on the aim of this study, and must sign informed consent before participation. All data will be measured once per athlete.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Female material art athletes | – | –Females practicing material art during recruitment time, in Oslo-area in Norway |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 16 to 40 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult
- Study population
- Female martial art athletes within sports of boxsing, thaiboxing, kickboxsing, judo, jui jitsu, brasilian jui jitsu, submission wrestling, mixed martial arts, taekwondo og karate.
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- martial art athlete
- living and training in Oslo-area (main capital) in Norway
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- not matching sex, age or sport criteria
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Primary outcome
Low energy availability for females questionnaire (LEAF-Q)
Time frame: Autumn 2020
Evaluating intensity in symptoms of low energy availability, with one general score, one subscale measuring symptoms of menstrual irregularities, and one subscale measuring symptoms of gastrointestinal dysfunction; the three scales having cut-off scores of ≥8 , ≥4 and ≥2, with higher scorings indicating higher clinical severity.
Eating disorder examination questionnaire (EDE-q)
Time frame: Autumn 2020
Measuring symptoms of eating disorders and frequency of eating disordered behavior, resulting in one total score, and four subscales (figure concern, weight concern, eating concern and eating restriction). A total score of ≥2.5 indicates high probability of having an eating disorder. Additionally, the scales measures frequency of disordered eating behavior, for which ≥1 episode per week of binge-eating and/or ≥1 episode per week of purging behavior, over a total period of ≥3 months, qualifies for an diagnosis of eating disorder.
Body Weight regulation strategies, selfreported
Time frame: Autumn 2020
Reports on methods complied with, to achieve body weight reduction (Predefined answers, including an "other" option)
Body appreciation scale (BAS-2)
Time frame: Autumn 2020
Evaluates the level of body appreciation and acceptance. Questionnaire contains 10-items with a Likert scale ranging from 1 (Never) to 5 (Always), with a higher average score indicating a higher level of body appreciation.
9 secondary outcomes
Exercise frequency, selfreported according to a designed questionnaire
Time frame: Autumn 2020
Exercise duration, selfreported according to a designed questionnaire
Time frame: Autumn 2020
Exercise motivation, selfreported according to a designed questionnaire
Time frame: Autumn 2020
Exercise program variation, selfreported according to a designed questionnaire
Time frame: Autumn 2020
Physical activity level, objectively measured
Time frame: Autumn 2020
Four day weighed diet registration; energyintake
Time frame: Autumn 2020
Four day weighed diet registration; nutrient intake
Time frame: Autumn 2020
Experiences of sexual harassment
Time frame: Autumn 2020
Effects from Covid-19 pandemic on exercise- and eating routines, designed questionnaire
Time frame: Autumn 2020
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 12 Jul 2021.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Data are kept within the scientific group
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Jorunn Sundgot-Borgen, PhD study director
Norwegian School of Sport Sciences
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Body Weight Changes and Eating Disorder Symptom, run by Norwegian School of Sport Sciences at 1 site in Norway.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 12 Jul 2021. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Norway. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Low energy availability for females questionnaire (LEAF-Q) (time frame: Autumn 2020). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 12 Jul 2021.