The first phase of the SPEED project consisted of research conducted by all the project’s partner clubs on a group of coaches, athletes aged 11 to 14, and their parents.

The data collected will form the basis for creating training content for coaches and information for athletes and parents.

The coach groups were surveyed in focus groups; each club involved a minimum of 15 coaches from different sports and offered a discussion based on questions developed by experts from the University of Bologna. The aim was to investigate coaches’ attitudes, behaviors, and knowledge regarding issues related to nutrition, weight, and body image, and to understand their training needs regarding these topics.

The athlete groups were surveyed using an anonymous questionnaire translated into all partner languages and completed independently. The questionnaire aimed to assess satisfaction with their weight and body image, knowledge about nutrition and exercise, and the influence that sports activity can have on weight.

The parent groups were surveyed using an anonymous questionnaire translated into all partner languages and completed independently. The questionnaire aimed to explore parents’ attitudes regarding weight, body shape, and nutrition, and how this topic is addressed in education.
The research findings form the basis for the creation of informational and training materials and provide a snapshot of the current situation regarding weight and nutrition in different sports settings and disciplines from the perspective of coaches, athletes, and parents.