Energy Availability and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) in Division I Athletes

Collegiate athletes practice year-round and must alter intake to compensate for changes in energy expenditure during high and low-volume training. Although adequate intake is needed to optimize performance, pressures in the sporting environment regarding body image may lead to low energy availability (LEA). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine relationships between energy availability (EA) and eating disorder (ED) risk, body composition, and stress in Division I athletes. One hundred current student-athletes, 18-25 years of age, were recruited for the study. Daily energy intake (DI) and exercise energy expenditure (ExEE) were assessed over three days (two weekdays and one weekend day) using accelerometer (ActiGraphGT3X+) and physical activity logs, while DI was recorded using an online dietary recall (ASA24®). Bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition (fat mass, FM; lean body mass, LBM) were assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). EA was calculated using the following equation: (DI - ExEE) kcal/kg of LBM/day and categorized into low (30 kcal/kg of LBM/day), reduced (30-45 kcal/kg of LBM/day), and adequate EA (45 kcal/kg of LBM/day). Descriptive statistics were performed on dependent variables using measures of central tendency, variability, and frequencies. A Chi-square test of independence was performed to examine the interaction between EA category and sex. A Fisher’s exact test was used to determine differences in ED risk by sex. Independent t-tests were used to compare differences in EA, body composition, and stress by sex. Pearson correlations were performed to assess relationships between EA and ED risk, body composition, and stress in male and female athletes. Significance was accepted at pmasters, M.S., Movement & Leisure Sciences -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2018-0