ESPNW Women Athlete Survey on Body Image

[j66kicker]

Seems to cover a lot more than just body image. Pool of athletes surveyed doesn't seem large or random or proportionate to actual numbers in the various sports, but still interesting. Rowing is a sport that seems to have a lot of issues.

Permanent body damage due to ignoring injuries
Eating disorders
Using makeup during competition (9 of 11 WBB players said "no" - less than norm for all sports)
Concussions
Pressure to look pretty
Lying about weight
Coaches calling players fat
Etc.

Plus Danica Patrick, Jennie Finch, Laila Ali and others show off their muscles.

Body Image Confidential

 

[j66kicker]

Semi-related: LJ says she used painkillers to stay on the floor toward the end of her career.

"Because of the injuries that I had, there are high stakes," Jackson said. "You're getting paid a lot of money to perform, and when you're a franchise player or someone that is expected to perform day in, day out, you do what you have to do to get by. For me, that was painkillers and sleeping pills generally."

Jackson retired last year after almost two decades as a professional, and she said overcoming her dependence on drugs was a nightmare.

"Having to get off everything was really, really, really hard," she said.

L. Jackson: Needed painkillers to stay on court

 

[DaddyChoc]

Wow... LJ!