Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that can affect athletes in various sports. In sports psychology and sports physiotherapy, addressing eating disorders requires a multidisciplinary approach involving collaboration between mental health professionals, sports medicine practitioners, coaches, and other members of the athlete's support team. Here's how eating disorders are addressed in sports psychology and sports physiotherapy: 1. Education and Awareness: Sports physiotherapists and sports psychologists play a crucial role in raising awareness about the prevalence, signs, and consequences of eating disorders among athletes. Education sessions and workshops can help athletes, coaches, and support staff recognize the warning signs of disordered eating behaviors and understand the importance of early intervention. 2. Screening and Assessment: Sports physiotherapists may conduct screenings or assessments to identify athletes at risk for or experiencing eating disorders. This may involve asking athletes about their eating habits, body image concerns, weight fluctuations, and history of disordered eating behaviors. Referrals to mental health professionals or specialized eating disorder treatment centers may be necessary for comprehensive assessment and diagnosis. 3. Psychoeducation and Counseling: Sports psychologists and mental health professionals can provide psychoeducation to athletes about the psychological factors underlying eating disorders, such as body image dissatisfaction, perfectionism, and low self-esteem. Counseling sessions may focus on exploring the emotional triggers and maintaining factors contributing to disordered eating behaviors, as well as developing coping strategies and healthier ways of managing stress and emotions. 4. Nutritional Counseling: Registered dietitians or nutritionists may collaborate with sports physiotherapists and sports psychologists to provide individualized nutritional counseling to athletes with eating disorders. This may involve addressing myths and misconceptions about nutrition, establishing balanced meal plans, and promoting intuitive eating practices to restore a healthy relationship with food and nourish the body for optimal performance and recovery. 5. Behavior Modification and Cognitive Restructuring: Cognitive-behavioral techniques, such as cognitive restructuring and behavior modification, may be used to challenge distorted thoughts and beliefs about food, weight, and body image. Sports psychologists can help athletes develop more adaptive coping strategies, challenge negative self-talk, and build self-esteem and resilience to counteract the psychological effects of eating disorders.