We examined data on 32 elite athletes who sought individual psychological support at the Department of Sports Science in the Japan Institute of Sports Sciences, with the aim of clarifying the characteristics of their initial complaints and psychological tasks. First, initial complaints were divided into six groups (“psychological instability during competition”, “confusion in interpersonal relationships”, “psychological advice/coaching”, “performance enhancement”, “others”, “no problem”) using the KJ method. Second, chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test were used to investigate the characteristics of the athletes’ initial complaints and the routes to individual psychological support. The results showed that a relatively large number of athletes complained of “psychological instability during competition” and “confusion in interpersonal relationships”, and that many athletes who said that there was “no problem” sought individual psychological support on the recommendation of their coaches and training staff. Finally, case studies were conducted to ascertain the characteristics of athletes’ psychological tasks. This revealed that the need to raise a low level of independence was a common psychological task underlying the athletes’ initial complaints. On the basis of these findings, we discuss what approach and environment for psychological support were needed for these elite athletes.

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The aim of this study was to compare the following aspects between junior- and senior-generation athletes to obtain basic data for future nutritional support activities for athletes, such as education on supplements and nutrition: the awareness of anti-doping; the type of supplements used; the frequency, purpose, and effects of use; the sources of information and access; and the inclination to buy. Although no association was found between dietary consciousness and generation, the awareness of anti-doping was lower in junior athletes. Differences between the two generations were also noted in the type of supplements used, the frequency and subjective effects of use, the source of information and access, and the inclination to buy. Therefore, generation-suited approaches should be considered for the education of elite athletes on supplements and nutrition.

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Elite Japanese badminton players who compete at the international level are continuously traveling worldwide to participate in tournaments. It is important that they have knowledge of nutrition so they can obtain adequate nourishment to maintain their physical condition regardless of their location. However, because of nutritional and dietary problems, many players have difficulty maintaining the iron status and body composition necessary to compete in high-level tournaments. We undertook a 6-month nutritional intervention in 11 elite female Japanese badminton players who compete at the international level to examine whether improvement in their knowledge of nutrition would affect their iron status and body composition. Serum ferritin concentration tended to increase after the intervention. Further, there was a significant decrease in body fat percentage and a significant increase in lean body mass. These findings demonstrate that a 6-month nutritional intervention to improve badminton players’ knowledge of nutrition is effective for maintaining and improving their physical condition.

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The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of postexercise carbonated high-carbohydrate beverage (Carbonated Trial: CT) compared with non-carbonated high-carbohydrate beverage (Non-Carbonated Trial: NCT) on gastrointestinal (GI) problems and physiological indexes during 4 hours of recovery period in athletes. Eight Japanese collegiate athletes (age : 21±1yr ; height : 170.8±6.0cm ; body weight(BW) : 68.70±8.29kg ; percent body fat : 11.7±2.7%) participated in the cross-over designed study. Immediately after the exhaustive exercise, subjects consumed 3.5ml/kg BW of 1) water, 2) high-carbohydrate beverage : NCT (1.8gCHO/kg BW/h), and 3) carbonated high-carbohydrate beverage : CT (1.8gCHO/kg BW/h) every 30 min during 4 hours of recovery period. No difference was observed in blood concentration of glucose, insulin, free fatty acid, and subjective GI problems between CT and NCT. However the rate of vomiting was significantly higher in the NCT compared with CT (p < 0.05). These results suggest that ingesting carbonated beverage during recovery period may help digestion and absorption in the stomach of athletes.

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