Disordered eating behaviors in young volleyball players: can be the coach’s leadership style an intervenient factor?

The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of coach’s leadership style on eating disorders (ED) in female volleyball athletes. This is a prospective study with 73 participants of sub-17 state of Pernambuco Championship. The Eating Attitudes Test was applied to evaluate ED. The perception of the coach’s leadership style was evaluated with Leader Sport Scale subscales. Triceps and subscapular skinfolds were measured to estimate body fat percentage. The findings showed no influence of “Training-Instruction” on ED (F(3, 70)=45.02; R²=0.12; p=0.34). The “Social Support” subscale showed statically significant influence on ED (F(4, 69)=59.77; R²=-0.16; p=0.02). However, the results indicated no statically significant relationship of “Reforce” subscale with ED (F(5, 68)=52.40; R²=0.13; p=0.17). The “Democratic” subscale so showed no influence on ED F(6, 67)=49.08; R²=0.10; p=0.21). Finally, the “Autocratic” subscale showed influence on ED (F(7, 66)=67.23; R²=0.18; p=0.01). We concluded that the coach’s leadership style (social support and autocratic) influenced the adoption of DEB in young female volleyball athletes.