Prevalence of indicators of low energy availability in elite female sprinters
Abstract
Low energy availability (LEA), and subsequent relative energy deficiency in sport, has been observed in endurance, aesthetic, and team sport athletes, with limited data on prevalence in athletes in short-burst activities such as sprinting. We examined prevalence of signs and symptoms of LEA in elite female sprinters at the start of the training season (PRE), and at the end of a 5-month indoor training period (POST). Four of 13 female sprinters (31%) presented at PRE testing with at least one primary (amenorrhea, low bone mineral density, low follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, or estradiol, resting metabolic rate ≤29 kcal/kg fat-free mass, Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire score ≥8) and one secondary indicator of LEA (fasting blood glucose 3.0 mmol/L, fasting insulin <20 pmol/L, low insulin-like growth factor-1, systolic blood pressure <90 mmHg, and/or diastolic blood pressure <60 mmHg). At POST, seven out of 13 athletes (54%) presented with at least one primary and one secondary indicator of LEA, three of whom had also presented with indicators of LEA at PRE. Five out of 13 (39%) athletes had previous stress fracture history, though this was not associated with current indicators of LEA (PRE: r = .52, p = .07; POST: r = -.07, p = .82). In conclusion, elite female sprinters may present with signs and symptoms of LEA, even after off-season rest. Medical and coaching staff should be aware of the signs and symptoms of LEA and relative energy deficie…
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Findings show significant individualised responses concerning the type, prevalence and severity of the impairments of various body systems associated with this exposure.
“findings also show significant individualised responses concerning the type, prevalence and severity of the impairments of various body systems associated with this exposure, 8 11 49 78 166 167”
From 2023 international olympic committee's (IOC) consensus statement on relative energy deficiency in sport (REDs) (2023) · cites this paper as [11]
Results have confirmed the aetiology of REDs is problematic LEA.
“While results have confirmed the aetiology of REDs is problematic LEA”
From 2023 international olympic committee's (IOC) consensus statement on relative energy deficiency in sport (REDs) (2023) · cites this paper as [11]
Most of the research since the seminal REDs research has involved cross-sectional study designs investigating the prevalence of various LEA indicators.
“Although the seminal REDs research implemented randomised clinical trials with strict laboratory-controlled EA interventions in habitually sedentary females, 45 125 127 160 165 most of the research since has involved cross-sectional study designs investigating the prevalence of various LEA indicators (indirectly via questionnaires or directly via indicators).8 11 21 49 78 166 167”
From 2023 international olympic committee's (IOC) consensus statement on relative energy deficiency in sport (REDs) (2023) · cites this paper as [11]
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“The underlying cause of RED-S is low energy availability (LEA), defined as the amount of energy relative to fat-free mass remaining for physiological functioning after accounting for the energy expenditure of exercise (Mountjoy et al., 2014).”
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“While energy intake and energy expenditure are necessary to determine EA, accurate measurement can be confounded by numerous variables, including underreported energy intake and technological limitations in assessing energy expenditure.”
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Self-citationLow Energy Availability and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport: What Coaches Should Know
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- Authors
- Sygo, J., Coates, A. M., Sesbreno, E., Mountjoy, M. L., & Burr, J. F.
- Affiliations
- Athletics Canada (CA)
- University of Guelph (CA)
- Canadian Sport Institute Ontario
- Venue
- International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism
- Publisher
- Human Kinetics
- Published
- 2018-09-01
- Volume
- 28
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 490-496
- ISSN
- 1526-484X (ISSN-L)
- 1543-2742
- OpenAlex
- W2802932612
- Cited by
- 60
- References
- 4
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 1
- FWCI
- 7.62
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Lower Extremity Biomechanics and Pathologies
- Keywords
- low energy availability, relative energy deficiency in sport, female sprinters, amenorrhea, osteopenia, menstrual disorders, resting metabolic rate, stress fractures, prevalence, indoor training, off-season
- MeSH terms
- Amenorrhea, Anthropometry, Basal Metabolism, Energy Intake, Energy Metabolism, Estradiol, Female, Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Humans, Luteinizing Hormone, Running, Bone Density, Prevalence, Malnutrition, Young Adult, Athletes, Sports Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
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