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. 2024 Sep;28(3):43-51.
doi: 10.20463/pan.2024.0022. Epub 2024 Sep 30.

Risk for low energy availability, disordered eating and sleep disturbance among female football players

Alisha Saifi  1 , Gulshan Lal Khanna  1 , Kommi Kalpana  1
Affiliations

Risk for low energy availability, disordered eating and sleep disturbance among female football players

Alisha Saifi et al. Phys Act Nutr. 2024 Sep.

Abstract

Purpose: Low energy availability (LEA) and mental health issues are prevalent among female athletes and can have adverse effects on health and sports performance. This study aimed to assess energy availability and, mental health status (depression, anxiety, sleep deprivation, drug misuse, alcohol misuse, and disordered eating) among female football players. Despite the availability of validated tools for the triads and REDs, few studies have focused on the prevalence of LEA and mental health in female football players. Furthermore, limited information is available on LEA and its consequences in India.

Methods: Professional female football players (n=25) aged 19-30 years were recruited using incidental sampling. LEA was estimated based on energy availability [energy intake - activity energy expenditure] and LEA female questionnaire (LEAF-Q). Sports mental health assessment tool-1 (SMHAT-1) was used to assess the mental health status. Descriptive statistics and chi square test were used to test the hypotheses.

Results: According to the factorial method and LEAF-Q, 24% and 12% of players had LEA, respectively. LEA symptoms, such as decreased gastrointestinal and menstrual function, were observed in 16% of participants, while 8% had a history of injury. 44% of the participants exhibited poor mental health. Sleep disturbance (12%) and disordered eating (44%), were among the most common mental health issues. No significant difference was found between LEA, disordered eating, and sleep disturbance.

Conclusion: Female football players were more likely to develop LEA and mental health disorders, such as disordered eating and sleep disturbance. LEA was not linked with disordered eating or sleep disturbance. Early detection of LEA and effective intervention enhances the health and performance of female football players.

Keywords: disordered eating; low energy availability; mental health; sleep disturbance.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. Prevalence of LEA and its symptoms in female football players based on LEAF-Q.
LEA: Low Energy Availability; LEAF-Q: Low Energy Availability in Females-Questionnaire.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.. Prevalence of LEA in female football players based on calculated EA.
LEA: Low Energy Availability; EA: Energy Availability, MEA: Moderate Energy Availability, OEA: Optimum Energy Availability.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.. Mental health status of female football players.
SMHAT: Sports Mental Health Assessment Tool -1.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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