This program is for female athletes who are in middle school or high school.

Athletes Targeting Healthy Exercise & Nutrition Alternatives (ATHENA), a school-based program, is designed to reduce disordered eating and unhealthy weight-control behaviors and prevent use of body-shaping drugs among adolescent female athletes.

Results from evaluations of ATHENA are somewhat mixed.  Posttest results from one randomized trial demonstrated that intervention youth, compared to control youth, reported less current and new use of diet pills, fewer new users of other body-shaping or athletic-enhancing substances, decreased intentions to engage in harmful behaviors (i.e., vomiting to lose weight, use of diet pills, tobacco, and creatine), and positive changes in strength-training self-efficacy and healthy eating behaviors. However, there was no difference in past 3-month tobacco use, creatine use, or vomiting to lose weight. One to three years after high school graduation, the intervention group demonstrated less lifetime use of marijuana, alcohol, and tobacco but reported no difference in disordered eating behaviors, except for tobacco use as a means of appetite suppressant. Posttest results from a second randomized trial indicated decreased intentions to use steroids/creatine or engage in unhealthy weight loss; although, effect sizes were small. Nine-month follow-up results indicated maintenance of reduced intentions to use steroids/creatine; no effect on intentions to engage in weight loss intentions; and no direct intervention effects on actual steroid use, creatine use, or unhealthy weight loss behaviors.

The ATHENA curriculum addresses the consequences of substance use and unhealthy weight management practices such as diet pill use, vomiting to lose weight, and tobacco use, and examines the benefits of sports nutrition and strength training. A coach appoints a team member to be a Squad Leader.  The coach and Squad Leader deliver scripted program materials and activities to athletes during the team's usual practice.  The following topics are discussed:

• Healthy sport nutrition;
• Effective exercise training;
• Effects of drug use and disordered eating behaviors on sport performance;
• Interpretation of media images of females; and
• Depression prevention.

Sessions include role-playing; student-developed campaigns or public service announcements; and instructional, interactive games.  Athletes practice goal-setting and self-monitoring of nutrition behaviors and are encouraged to develop attitudes and skills for making healthy choices in sports and in their lives.

This program has been implemented in over 250 schools in 45 states.  Since 2007, ATHENA has been used by more than 1,000 coaches with over 37,000 athletes.  A Spanish version of ATHENA has been developed for use with high school teams in Puerto Rico.

An optional 4- to 5-hour, on-site training for coaches and Squad Leaders is available for $2,000 to $3,000.  A 2-hour coach and Squad Leader training is also available via phone or Skype and costs $250.  In addition, a Coach training DVD and a Squad Leader training DVD and CD are included in the Coach Instructor Package.

Considerations for implementing this program include acquiring buy-in from coaches and student athletes, understanding program materials will need to be purchased, offering training, appointing Squad Leaders and obtaining their commitment, and finding time to incorporate sessions into the sport season.

The Clearinghouse can help address these considerations. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

If you are interested in implementing the ATHENA program, the Clearinghouse is interested in helping you!
Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

The program is delivered in eight 45-minute lessons, and lessons occur once a week during regularly scheduled and light practice days.

The ATHENA Coach Instructor Package costs $280; the ATHENA Squad Leader Package costs $11; the ATHENA Athlete Package costs $11.  Program materials can be ordered on the developer's website found in the Contact section or by calling 1-503-494-3727.

To move the ATHENA program to the Promising category on the Clearinghouse Continuum of Evidence, at least one evaluation should be performed demonstrating positive effects lasting at least one year from the beginning of the program or at least six months from program completion.

The Clearinghouse can help you develop an evaluation plan to ensure the program components are meeting your goals. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

Contact the Clearinghouse with any questions regarding this program.
Phone: 1-877-382-9185 Email: Clearinghouse@psu.edu

You may also contact the Oregon Health & Science University by phone 1-503-418-4166, email chpr@ohsu.edu or visit https://www.ohsu.edu/ortho/high-school-athlete-program

http://cdc.thehcn.net/promisepractice/index/view?pid=3425, https://www.crimesolutions.gov/ProgramDetails.aspx?ID=257, and https://www.ohsu.edu/ortho/high-school-athlete-program