Lifestyles of elite athletic performers (LEAP)
Creators: name: BURNS, Lauren
Publisher: name: RMIT University
Year: 2024
Subjects: classificationCode: 420799
subject: Sports science and exercise not elsewhere classified

description: This research aimed to explore the lifestyle practices and mindset to which world- class champion athletes attribute their success and how these practices are utilised by elite and pre-elite athletes. The intention was to begin by learning from the greats; the mastery level athletes who have time and time again succeeded at the highest levels of international competition within their sport. To engage the voice of these athletes utilise their practical and meaningful knowledge and learnings, and to apply their lived experience to inform underpinning strategy, education and support. Following this, the aim was to ascertain the awareness, knowledge, and practical application of athletes underneath these mastery level athletes, to establish recommendations and effective strategies to support them. 

A narrative review of influential athlete development models, constructs and frameworks, revealed that lifestyle factors such as diet and nutrition, sleep, recovery, and recreational activities are rarely considered in such models. This suggested that these important influences that contribute to athlete success and career longevity are often neglected. 

To gain a deeper understanding of elite athletes' lifestyles, the 'Lifestyles of Elite Athletic Performers (LEAP)' Study 1 was conceived, and interviews with ten World, Olympic, and Paralympic champion athletes were conducted. A thematic analysis of these interviews revealed four dominant and overlapping themes that included: (i) psychological attributes, (ii) interpersonal relationships, (iii) performance strategies, and (iv) lifestyle practices. Notably, every athlete (inclusive of able-bodied and athletes with a disability) attributed their ultimate success to psychological skills rather than physical factors. Furthermore, most athletes reported their strong belief in; and systematic application of; mental rehearsal skills and recovery practices; as essential contributors to their success. This culminated in developing a new model: 'Contributors to World Class Performance,' which emphasised that championship level performances are likely to occur at the nexus of a robust psychological profile, effective performance strategies, interpersonal support, and positive lifestyle practices. The key to this model was recognising that these elements did not work in isolation, and athletes need to shift focus across these domains as needed and balance these elements through effective self-regulation, experience, exposure, and adaptation. This study was published in the esteemed British Journal of Sports Medicine (BJSM), which holds one of the highest impact factor ratings in sport (12.68). 

In particular, the findings from the LEAP Study 1 established the importance of interpersonal relationships on performance and explored the athlete/coach relationships, social scaffolds supporting athletes, laughter, and creating a high- performance culture. This led to the publication of an editorial piece in the BJSM that highlighted how quality relationships assist in attenuating the stress response and presented a new model: Strengthening interpersonal relationships in elite sport - a visual summary. 

Following the interviews, LEAP Study 2 was conducted. This involved a survey with 134 athletes who were classified as International Podium (IP) or non-International Podium athletes (n-IP). The aims of the study were to ascertain if there were differences in the aforementioned domains between: IP &amp; n-IP athletes or between able-bodied athletes &amp; athletes with a disability. The results of this study confirmed the themes of the LEAP Study 1, with a key finding being that a robust psychological profile, along with effective recovery practices and supportive interpersonal relationships were perceived to be critical elements of successful performance. 

Notably, this study revealed that many athletes in particular pre-elite level athletes wished they had access to psychological skills and support services earlier in their career. Furthermore, many athletes said in retrospect; they wished they had left or changed their club earlier in their athletic careers. Additionally, athletes shared a desire for greater knowledge, information, mentoring, and fostering of their autonomy earlier in their developmental journey. 

The key outputs from this body of research stress the importance of interpersonal relationships for athlete success and career longevity. This key finding has substantial implications for supporting emerging and elite athletes and their support providers (i.e., policy, strategy, education, support and prioritisation of resources, etc.) as well as a notable theoretical contribution to the existent body of knowledge specific to athlete development and high performance. This research adds to existing models of interdisciplinary practice and provides vital information for those responsible for overseeing and managing athlete development, existing models of interdisciplinary practice, and has already informed related policy, strategy, education, and research at a state and federal level within Australia.