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Cited by 21Sports Performance and TrainingEating Disorders and BehaviorsMuscle metabolism and nutrition

How do we assess energy availability and RED-S risk factors in para athletes?

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Jonvik, Kristin L., Vardardottir, Birna, Broad, Elizabeth·2022·Nutrients
DOI 10.3390/nu14051068PMC PMC8912472
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Abstract

Low energy availability (LEA) is considered to be the underlying cause of a number of maladaptations in athletes, including impaired physiological function, low bone mineral density (BMD), and hormonal dysfunction. This is collectively referred to as ‘Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport’ (RED-S). LEA is calculated through assessment of dietary energy intake (EI), exercise energy expenditure (EEE) and fat-free mass (FFM). The incidence of LEA in Paralympic athletes is relatively unknown; however, there are legitimate concerns that Para athletes may be at even higher risk of LEA than able-bodied athletes. Unfortunately, there are numerous issues with the application of LEA assessment tools and the criterion for diagnosis within the context of a Para population. The calculation of EEE, in particular, is limited by a distinct lack of published data that cover a range of impairments and activities. In addition, for several RED-S-related factors, it is difficult to distinguish whether they are truly related to LEA or a consequence of the athlete’s impairment and medical history. This narrative review outlines deficits and complexities when assessing RED-S and LEA in Para athletes, presents the information that we do have, and provides suggestions for future progress in this important area of sports nutrition.

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Sorted by citations

Authors
Jonvik, K. L., Vardardottir, B., & Broad, E.
Affiliations
  • Norwegian School of Sport Sciences (NO)
  • Faculty of Health Promotion, Sport and Leisure Studies, University of Iceland, 105 Reykjavik, Iceland
  • Independent Researcher, Shoalhaven, NSW 2540, Australia
Corresponding author
Jonvik, Kristin L.
ORCID
Venue
Nutrients
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2022-03-03
Volume
14
Issue
5
Pages
1068
ISSN
2072-6643 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3390/nu14051068
PMC
PMC8912472
OpenAlex
W4214830782
Cited by
21
References
3
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 2
FWCI
0.93
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Nutrients (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Opin vísindi (Opin vísindi) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • NORA - Norwegian Open Research Archives (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • Opin vísindi (Opin vísindi) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (RAAK.PRO03.043)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
Keywords
relative energy deficiency in sport, low energy availability, athletes with disabilities, Paralympic athletes, exercise energy expenditure, energy intake, fat-free mass, osteopenia, endocrine dysfunction, sports nutrition
MeSH terms
Para-Athletes, Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport, Energy Intake, Humans, Risk Factors, Athletes

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