Prevalence of Indicators of Low Energy Availability in Elite Female Sprinters

Sygo, Jennifer; Coates, Alexandra M; Sesbreno, Erik; Mountjoy, Margo; Burr, Jamie F.

doi:10.1123/ijsnem.2017-0397

Cited by 38 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…Preparation phases of training introduce more event-specific technical work, with increased strength and conditioning volume (Schiffer, 2011(Schiffer, , 2012. When the training load is at its highest, CE athletes can be at risk of energy imbalances, injuries, overtraining, and other LEA symptoms, similar to those previously reported in sprinters (Sygo et al, 2018). Thus, quickly absorbed and easily digested CHO and PRO snacks are needed for these training days, and can include both commercially made products and whole foods, such as sport drinks, PRO shakes, sport bars, gels, pureed fruit pouches, trail mixes, peanut butter sandwiches, fruit and yogurt smoothies, and meat and cheese sandwiches.…”

Section: Nutrition Strategies To Support Training Adaptations For Ce supporting

confidence: 77%

“…Attaining an optimal body composition can be more challenging for CE athletes than for athletes in other events, and it is often personal to each athlete, depending on individual event strengths and weaknesses. Athletes may benefit from a slightly higher fat mass and LM in the early part of the season to support recovery and to limit indicators of LEA that may emerge over the season (Sygo et al, 2018). Muscle mass may increase during phases where strength is the focus, but decrease in phases where running and jumping are prioritized, due to a higher energy expenditure in running workouts and reduced resistance training load (O'Connor et al, 2007).…”

Section: Periodized Body Composition For Jumpers Throwers and Ce Atmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Fueling for the Field: Nutrition for Jumps, Throws, and Combined Events

Sygo

Glass

Killer

et al. 2019

International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism

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Athletes participating in the athletics (track and field) events of jumps, throws, and combined events (CEs; seven-event heptathlon and 10-event decathlon) engage in training and competition that emphasize speed and explosive movements, requiring optimal power–weight ratios. While these athletes represent a wide range of somatotypes, they share an emphasis on Type IIa and IIx muscle fiber typing. In general, athletes competing in jumps tend to have a lower body mass and may benefit from a higher protein (1.5–1.8 g PRO·kg−1·day−1) and lower carbohydrate (3–6 g CHO·kg−1·day−1) diet. Throwers tend to have a higher body mass, but with considerable differences between events. Their intense, whole-body training program suggests higher PRO requirements (1.5–2.2 g PRO·kg−1·day−1), while CHO needs (per kg) are similar to jumpers. The CE athletes must strike a balance between strength and muscle mass for throws and sprints, while maintaining a low enough body mass to maximize performance in jumps and middle-distance events. CE athletes may benefit from a higher PRO (1.5–2 g PRO·kg−1·day−1) and moderate CHO (5–8 g CHO·kg−1·day−1) diet with good energy availability to support multiple daily training sessions. Since they compete over 2 days, well-rehearsed competition-day fueling and recovery strategies are imperative for CE athletes. Depending on their events’ bioenergetic demands, athletes in throws, jumps, and CE may benefit from the periodized use of ergogenic aids, including creatine, caffeine, and/or beta-alanine. The diverse training demands, physiques, and competitive environments of jumpers, throwers, and CE athletes necessitate nutrition interventions that are periodized throughout the season and tailored to the individual needs of the athlete.

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Section: Nutrition Strategies To Support Training Adaptations For Ce supporting

confidence: 77%

Section: Periodized Body Composition For Jumpers Throwers and Ce Atmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fueling for the Field: Nutrition for Jumps, Throws, and Combined Events

Sygo

Glass

Killer

et al. 2019

International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism

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“…The risk of low EA has been investigated using surrogate markers or self-reported symptoms of low EA in various athlete populations including elite para-athletes [34], adolescent/young adult [35,36] and Olympic athletes [40], female sprinters [41], male jockeys [39] and recreationally active individuals [33,37], and ranges from 14% to 63% ( Table 3). The largest cross-sectional study investigating self-reported health and performance outcomes linked to low EA and RED-S [5] placed emphasis on including body systems beyond reproductive function and bone health such as metabolic, haematological, psychological and cardiovascular health and gastrointestinal function.…”

Section: Low Energy Availability Riskmentioning

confidence: 99%

Low Energy Availability in Athletes 2020: An Updated Narrative Review of Prevalence, Risk, Within-Day Energy Balance, Knowledge, and Impact on Sports Performance

et al. 2020

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Low energy availability (EA) underpins the female and male athlete triad and relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S). The condition arises when insufficient calories are consumed to support exercise energy expenditure, resulting in compromised physiological processes, such as menstrual irregularities in active females. The health concerns associated with longstanding low EA include menstrual/libido, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular dysfunction and compromised bone health, all of which can contribute to impaired sporting performance. This narrative review provides an update of our previous review on the prevalence and risk of low EA, within-day energy deficiency, and the potential impact of low EA on performance. The methods to assess EA remain a challenge and contribute to the methodological difficulties in identifying “true” low EA. Screening female athletic groups using a validated screening tool such as the Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire (LEAF-Q) has shown promise in identifying endurance athletes at risk of low EA. Knowledge of RED-S and its potential implications for performance is low among coaches and athletes alike. Development of sport and gender-specific screening tools to identify adolescent and senior athletes in different sports at risk of RED-S is warranted. Education initiatives are required to raise awareness among coaches and athletes of the importance of appropriate dietary strategies to ensure that sufficient calories are consumed to support training.

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“…These results are consistent with an earlier report by Sundgot-Borgen and Torstveit (2004), who reported a 24% prevalence of EDs in female national team endurance athletes compared with 9% among male endurance athletes. In contrast to running events, literature on the prevalence of LEA with and without EDs/DE in sprint and jumping events is less well characterized (Table 2; Sygo et al, 2018). Sundgot-Borgen and Torstveit (2004) reported a prevalence of EDs in 3% and 6% of male and female national team athletes in sprint and throwing events, respectively.…”

Section: Prevalence Of Lea De and Eds In Athleticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Energy Availability in Athletics: Health, Performance, and Physique

Melin

Heikura

Tenforde

et al. 2019

International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism

154

134

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The reported prevalence of low energy availability (LEA) in female and male track and field athletes is between 18% and 58% with the highest prevalence among athletes in endurance and jump events. In male athletes, LEA may result in reduced testosterone levels and libido along with impaired training capacity. In female track and field athletes, functional hypothalamic amenorrhea as consequence of LEA has been reported among 60% of elite middle- and long-distance athletes and 23% among elite sprinters. Health concerns with functional hypothalamic amenorrhea include impaired bone health, elevated risk for bone stress injury, and cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, LEA negatively affects recovery, muscle mass, neuromuscular function, and increases the risk of injuries and illness that may affect performance negatively. LEA in track and field athletes may occur due to intentional alterations in body mass or body composition, appetite changes, time constraints, or disordered eating behavior. Long-term LEA causes metabolic and physiological adaptations to prevent further weight loss, and athletes may therefore be weight stable yet have impaired physiological function secondary to LEA. Achieving or maintaining a lower body mass or fat levels through long-term LEA may therefore result in impaired health and performance as proposed in the Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport model. Preventive educational programs and screening to identify athletes with LEA are important for early intervention to prevent long-term secondary health consequences. Treatment for athletes is primarily to increase energy availability and often requires a team approach including a sport physician, sports dietitian, physiologist, and psychologist.

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Prevalence of Indicators of Low Energy Availability in Elite Female Sprinters

Cited by 38 publications

References 33 publications

Fueling for the Field: Nutrition for Jumps, Throws, and Combined Events

Fueling for the Field: Nutrition for Jumps, Throws, and Combined Events

Low Energy Availability in Athletes 2020: An Updated Narrative Review of Prevalence, Risk, Within-Day Energy Balance, Knowledge, and Impact on Sports Performance

Energy Availability in Athletics: Health, Performance, and Physique

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