NEDA TOOLKIT for Coaches and Trainers
Encouraging healthy and appropriate exercise and
training for athletes
Successful athletes are motivated by a desire to excel.
Proper coaching can build on this motivation by helping
young people develop good training habits, hone
technical skills and work as part of a team. However,
because top athletes are often driven perfectionists,
it is not uncommon for them to take practices and
workouts to unhealthy extremes. Such behavior can
mark the first steps on the road to an eating disorder.
If the athlete resets weight goals to a lower weight or if
their weight drops to a level lower than is necessary for
adequate sports performance, be vigilant; those can be
signs of trouble. Other signs and symptoms that bear
watching: •
• •
• •
Training more than coach recommends
Overuse injuries
Muscle weakness
Exercising seemingly without enjoyment
Training in dangerous situations, such as running
alone at night or when injured or sick
• High level of anxiety when unable to practice or
train • Frequent weighing
• Negative comments about weight or being “fat”
The following are tips on how to promote healthy
and appropriate practices and workouts among your
athletes. • Tell your athletes that good sport performance is
like most human behaviors in that it is determined
by numerous factors. Good health is probably the
most important factor other than genetics, and the
most important contributor to good health (other
than genetics) is good nutrition.
• Remind athletes that sports should be for fun,
fitness and healthy competition. Additional reasons
to participate or compete include improved health
and learning to be a team player.
• Promote realistic goals to avoid physical and
mental burnout. Motivate your athletes to make
the most of their ability and their sport experience
by encouraging good nutrition and healthy training.
• Encourage athletes to view sports as a lifetime
pursuit, which means caring for their bodies over
a lifetime. Remind them that they only have one
body, so it behooves them to take good care of it.
• Healthy and appropriate exercise should improve
your athlete’s alertness and ability to relax, not
exhaust them.
• Encourage flexibility in scheduling workouts and
training sessions. Athletes need to stick to a regular
practice schedule but sometimes unforeseen
events occur, and missing a practice or two is
inevitable. Encourage your athletes to strive for
balance between exercise and other activities, and
also between exercise and eating.
• Encourage athletes to learn how to do their chosen
activity properly, and to rely on you, their coach,
trainer or other trusted sources for information.
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