The relationship between low energy availability, injuries, and bone health in recreational female athletes.
Marta GimunováMichal BozděchMartina BernacikováRomulo FernandesMichal KumstátAna PaludoPublished in: PeerJ (2024)
Risk of LEA was observed in 50% of recreational athletes participating in this study. Up to 46% of participants perceived menstrual bleeding changes related to training and 37.50% experienced menstrual dysfunction. Body composition and body weight fluctuations were observed to affect postural stability and BMD. With the risk score for LEA, the BMD and postural stability were not negatively affected in recreational athletes. However, the high number of recreational athletes in the risk score for LEA and menstrual dysfunctions highlights the need for public health programs aimed to increase awareness of LEA and its health consequences and for open communication about the menstrual cycle. Future longitudinal studies observing LEA, BMD, menstrual function, postural stability, and their interrelationship in female athletes are needed to increase the knowledge of this topic.
Keyphrases
- public health
- body composition
- body weight
- healthcare
- bone mineral density
- mental health
- high school
- resistance training
- atrial fibrillation
- depressive symptoms
- physical activity
- global health
- minimally invasive
- social support
- cross sectional
- risk assessment
- health promotion
- current status
- climate change
- case control
- drug induced