#38 - Harassment, abuse and mental health in athletes with Dr Margo Mountjoy

Dr Glenn McConell chats with Professor Margo Mountjoy from McMaster University in Canada. A wide ranging and at times emotional discussion about the types of harassment and abuse (psychological abuse underlies most), prevalence of abuse (higher in marginalized groups), power relationships, reporting policies and procedures, barriers to reporting abusive behavior, the Nasser case, how empower the good people to effect change etc. Trauma informed care, the 4Rs: Realising that trauma is common, recognizing the signs of trauma in other people, responding to it and resisting retraumatization. A very passionate, compassionate and caring person.

0:00. Introduction and Margo’s sporting and Medical background
6:25. How Margo was first confronted by abuse in sport
8:25. Her leading IOC consensus statements on abuse
10:35. Cultural normalization of abuse
11:45. Barriers to reporting abusive behavior. Nasser case
13:09. Safeguarding framework during the Olympic Games, local sport etc
15:45. Types of harassment and abuse
20:15. The Larry Nasser gymnasts sexual abuse case
24:02. Toxic cultures, eg physical abuse of children in Japan
25:35. Learned behaviors/positions of power
29:21. Prevalence of abuse. Higher in marginalized groups
34:30. Victimizing and sport training
36:15. Homophobic slurs in sport
38:37. Body fat, image, shaming/eating disorders
42:15. RED-S (relative energy deficiency in sport)
44:03. RED-S, weight loss and abuse
45:37. Harassment, abuse and mental health
48:39. Need to recognize, manage, treat and support
53:12. Reportable offenses/involving the police
54:25. Are things getting better?
56:10. Doctors: Advocating/empowering
57:44. Trauma informed care: the 4Rs.
1:02:10. Takeaway messages
1:04:10. Outro (9 secs)

Inside Exercise brings to you the who's who of research in exercise metabolism, exercise physiology and exercise’s effects on health. With scientific rigor, these researchers discuss popular exercise topics while providing practical strategies for all.

The interviewer, Emeritus Professor Glenn McConell, has an international research profile following 30 years of Exercise Metabolism research experience while at The University of Melbourne, Ball State University, Monash University, the University of Copenhagen and Victoria University.

He has published over 120 peer reviewed journal articles and recently edited an Exercise Metabolism eBook written by world experts on 17 different topics (https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-94305-9).

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