A longitudinal examination of changes in mental health among elite Canadian athletes.

This study explored how athletes' symptoms of mental disorders changed over the course of pandemic year. Predictors of baseline levels and changes in symptoms of mental disorders were also examined. Surveys were completed four times throughout a year by Canadian athletes training for the 2020 Olympics/Paralympics (ntime1 = 186, ntime2 = 142, ntime3 = 123, ntime4 = 108). Surveys included demographics questions, measures of perceived stress, training load, social support, coping, self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and disordered eating. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and latent growth modelling. The prevalence of mental disorder symptoms was high at baseline and there was no significant change over time. Scores for the three disorders were significantly correlated. Female athletes had higher scores for disordered eating at baseline. Higher levels of perceived stress predicted higher scores on mental disorder measures. Longitudinal tracking of symptoms of mental disorders among elite athletes is important because it allows researchers to explore whether disorder symptomologies change; rates of mental disorder symptoms were high at baseline and stayed high over the course of a year. More research is needed to explore possible gender differences in rates of disorder symptoms, and to understand how those symptoms change over time.

Motives for adherence to a gluten-free diet: a qualitative investigation involving adults with coeliac disease.

BACKGROUND: Currently , the only treatment for coeliac disease is life long adherence to a strict gluten-free diet. Strict adherence to a gluten-free diet is challenging, with recent reports suggesting that adherence rates range from 42% to 91%. The present study aimed to: (i) identify motives for adhering to a gluten-free diet and (ii) explore factors implicated in adherence and non-adherence behaviour in terms of accidental and purposeful gluten consumption among adults with coeliac disease. METHODS: Two hundred and three adults with coeliac disease completed an online questionnaire. Using a qualitative design, relationships were examined between reported adherence and motivation to follow a gluten-free diet, as well as the onset, duration and severity of symptoms. RESULTS: Feelings of desperation ('hitting rock bottom') and needing to gain or lose weight were associated with the strictest adherence to a gluten-free diet. Participants who accidentally consumed gluten over the past week developed symptoms the most quickly and reported the most pain over the past 6 months. Participants who consumed gluten on purpose over the past week reported a shorter duration of symptoms and less pain over the past 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Hitting rock bottom and needing to gain or lose weight were factors associated with the strictest adherence, when considered in the context of both accidental and purposeful gluten consumption. Future research is warranted to develop resources to help people with coeliac disease follow a strict gluten-free diet.