Surfboard riders are at risk of low energy availability – A pilot study

Abstract

Background Surfing is a rapidly growing sport and recreational activity. The previously reported, intermittent high-intensity energetics of surfing place athletes and recreational participants at risk of low energy availability (LEA). Aim As such, this pioneering study aims to be the first to investigate LEA risk and the second to investigate dietary intake in surfers. Methods Twenty-one intermediate and advanced surfers (female – 5, male – 16) were recruited to complete an online self-administered questionnaire and 4 consecutive 24-hour food logs to establish LEA risk and asses dietary intake. The Low Energy Availability in Female Questionnaire and Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire were used to identify at-risk individuals in females and males, respectively, with respective cut-off's of ≥8 and ≥2.3. Results Fifty-seven percent were classed as at-risk of LEA (50% and 80% in males and females, respectively). No significant relationship of competitive status, surfing ability and body mass index on risk classification was found. However, a non-significant medium effect of age was observed (p = 0.338, R = 0.549). And 77% of the 70 total analysed food records showed inadequate carbohydrate (CHO) consumption. Conclusion In summary, an alarmingly high portion of surfers are at risk of LEA and dietary inadequacy. Future studies should confirm whether surfing organisations need to intervene, by addressing limitations of the present study including a small sample, which was heavily biased away from female and high-level competitors.