Weight pressure, eating disorder risk, and weight-control behaviors in elite tug-of-war athletes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v80.119421Keywords:
Tug of War , weight-related stress, eating disorders, weight managementAbstract
Introduction: Sokatira, or Tug of War (TOW), is an international sport in which two teams, each consisting of eight athletes, compete by pulling on a rope in opposite directions.
Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between perceived weight pressure (PWP), the risk of eating disorders (EDs), and the adoption of weight-control behaviors among elite TOW athletes.
Methodology: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with 174 international athletes participating in the European Championships. Anthropometric variables, PWP assessed using the Weight Pressures in Sport (WPS-F/WPS-M) questionnaires, risk of EDs using the SCOFF questionnaire, and self-reported use of laxatives and diuretics were evaluated.
Results: Women exhibited significantly higher levels of PWP than men, with a progressive increase in this pressure observed with age, whereas in men it remained stable. No significant associations were found between the risk of EDs and the variables of sex or age; however, 31.6% of the sample scored positive on the SCOFF. Laxative use was reported by 5.7% of the participants and was significantly associated with a higher ED risk. Diuretic use was reported by 8.05%, with no significant associations with ED risk.
Conclusions: These findings suggest that, although symptoms consistent with EDs do not differ by sex or age, body image concerns and certain weight-control behaviors represent a significant problem in elite TOW athletes.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Arkaitz Castañeda-Babarro, Asier Zubillaga, Aitor Martinez Agirre Betolaza, Asier Del Arco, Julio Calleja, Ruth Cayero
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