Low energy availability surrogates are associated with Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport outcomes in male athletes

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the association between surrogates of low energy availability (EA) and proposed health and performance outcomes of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) in a clinical sample of adolescent and young adult male athletes.

Methods: Male athletes ages 15-30 years presenting to a sports medicine clinic at two tertiary care centres were invited to complete a survey about athlete health and well-being. Participants were divided into low EA and adequate EA groups based on survey responses. The associations between low EA and REDs outcomes were evaluated using χ² tests and ORs were calculated using binomial logistic regression (significance: p<0.05).

Results: Low EA was associated with increased frequency of self-reported immunological, metabolic, psychological, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal dysfunction; reduced endurance performance, response to training, judgement, coordination and muscle strength; and increased irritability and depression. Low EA athletes were more likely to have self-reported cardiovascular dysfunction (OR 2.87, 95% CI 1.56 to 5.26) and psychological illness (OR 3.23, 95% CI 1.91 to 5.41), decreased training response (OR 2.64, 95% CI 1.38 to 5.03) and endurance performance (OR 2.26, 95% CI 1.13 to 4.52) and were less likely to have self-reported gonadal dysfunction (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.30 to 0.81), than adequate EA athletes (p<0.05).

Conclusions: Low EA surrogates are associated with many adverse health outcomes and performance effects of REDs in male athletes. More prospective REDs research in males is needed to improve various aspects of REDs screening in young male athletes.

Keywords: Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport.

Figure 1. Number of athletes characterised as low EA by each screening tool. Overlapping areas demonstrate the number of athletes who screened positively on multiple tests. EA, energy availability; EDE-Q, Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire; ESP, Eating Disorder Screen for Primary Care.

Figure 2. Prevalence of REDs health consequences in adequate EA versus low EA groups. Percentages are frequency of each symptom in each group. EA, energy availability; REDs, Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport.

Figure 3. Prevalence of REDs performance effects in adequate EA versus low EA groups. Percentages are frequency of each symptom in each group. EA, energy availability; REDs, Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport.