Low energy availability in female athletes : From the lab to the field
Journal article
Heikura, Ida A., Stellingwerff, Trent and Areta, Jose L.. (2022). Low energy availability in female athletes : From the lab to the field. European Journal of Sport Science. 22(5), pp. 709-719. https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2021.1915391
Authors | Heikura, Ida A., Stellingwerff, Trent and Areta, Jose L. |
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Abstract | Decades of laboratory research have shown impairments to several body systems after only 4–5 days of strictly controlled consistent low energy availability (LEA); where energy availability (EA) = Energy Intake (EI) − Exercise Energy Expenditure (EEE)/Fat-Free Mass. Meanwhile, cross-sectional reports exist on the interrelatedness of LEA, menstrual dysfunction and impaired bone health in females (the Female Athlete Triad). These findings have demonstrated that LEA is the key underpinning factor behind a broader set of health and performance outcomes, recently termed as Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S). There is utmost importance of early screening and diagnosis of RED-S to avoid the development of severe negative health and performance outcomes. However, a significant gap exists between short-term laboratory studies and cross-sectional reports, or clinically field-based situations, of long-term/chronic LEA and no definitive, validated diagnostic tests for RED-S exist. This review aims to highlight methodological challenges related to the assessment of the components of EA equation in the field (e.g. challenges with EI and EEE measures). Due to the uncertainty of these parameters, we propose the use of more chronic “objective” markers of LEA (i.e. blood markers). However, we note that direct extrapolations of laboratory-based outcomes into the field are likely to be problematic due to potentially poor ecological validity and the extreme variability in most athlete’s daily EI and EEE. Therefore, we provide a critical appraisal of the scientific literature, highlighting research gaps, and a potential set of leading objective RED-S markers while working in the field. |
Keywords | low energy availability; relative energy deficiency in sport; diagnosis; female athletes |
Year | 2022 |
Journal | European Journal of Sport Science |
Journal citation | 22 (5), pp. 709-719 |
Publisher | Routledge |
ISSN | 1746-1391 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2021.1915391 |
PubMed ID | 33832385 |
Scopus EID | 2-s2.0-85105130216 |
Open access | Published as green open access |
Page range | 709-719 |
Author's accepted manuscript | License File Access Level Open |
Publisher's version | License All rights reserved File Access Level Controlled |
Output status | Published |
Publication dates | |
Online | 03 May 2021 |
Publication process dates | |
Accepted | 09 Apr 2021 |
Deposited | 17 Nov 2021 |
https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/8x155/low-energy-availability-in-female-athletes-from-the-lab-to-the-field
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Author's accepted manuscript
AM_Heikura_2022_Low_energy_availability_in_female_athletes.pdf | |
License: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 | |
File access level: Open |
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