Determinants of health-related behaviours of judo athletes

Background and Study Aim: The fact that healthy athletes are capable of making every effort and committing themselves to the maximum extent possible proves that a healthy lifestyle is of the greatest importance to them. The aim of this paper is the relationship between the level of health-related behaviours and the participation in competitive sports and sources of knowledge on health among people practising judo, combined with a search for the factors determining the health-related behaviours. Materia and methods: The study included 101 people practising judo. Twenty-four respondents had master grades 1-3 dan and others had student grades 5-1 kyu. A standardized research tool, i.e. the Health Behaviour Inventory (HBI) was used. For the purposes of the assessment of sources of knowledge about health and healthy lifestyle, the original questionnaire was used. Results: Despite the high level of health-related behaviours of the judokas (51.5% of men, 42.4% of women), their level decreases with age, progress in sport and training experience. The number of training sessions forms a factor which determines an increase of the level of health-related behaviours. The person of the coach as well as the Internet form the most common sources of knowledge regarding health, health-related behaviours, however, healthcare professionals determine the statistically significant behaviours of judo practitioners. Conclusions: Throughout the process of advanced level training, it is valuable to invest in a team dedicated to prepare and support competitors in particular in terms of the medical aspects of the training. Healthcare professionals form an important component of the coaching team due to the fact that they are effective educators in terms of health-related behaviours.