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Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport and Dance
Sponsor: University of Wolverhampton
Summary
The International Olympic Committee recently published its consensus statement on relative energy deficiency syndrome (REDs) in sport which was followed by a similar version for dance by clinicians and researchers in dance. REDs is a complex multisystem syndrome with low energy availability as its foundation. Dancers and gymnasts, particularly in ballet, have long been reported to have body weight issues with an increase prevalence of eating disorders which has been associated with early onset osteoporosis. Combat sports have a similar issue, with athletes needing to "make weight" to compete in their ideal weight category that has lead to similar eating disorder and associated issues to dance. Currently there are no data on REDs prevalence in dance, gymnastics or combat sports and therefore understanding the underlying prevalence of REDs in both these populations will provide important information for both clinicians and coaches to help develop a safe and healthy environment for their dancers and athletes to compete/perform and to be able to retire from sport/dance without an increased risk of osteoporosis. In a few sports and dance genres, some participants might be more prone to a negative health effect referred to as relative energy deficiency syndrome (REDs). This is an energy deficiency relative to the balance between dietary energy intake and energy availability required to support homeostasis, health and activities of daily living, growth and sporting activities that can result in multiple systems being affected including decreases in bone health, energy metabolism, reproductive function, musculoskeletal health, immunity, glycogen synthesis and cardiovascular and haematological health. The purpose of this study is to examine the prevalence of REDs in specific sports (combat sports and gymnastics) and dance genres (ballet and musical theatre). Voluntary participants will be tested three times a year over a 5-year period. This will include an annual dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and blood tests plus resting energy expenditure and questionnaires three times a year.
Official title: Prevalence of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport and Dance
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
16 Years - 45 Years
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
200
Start Date
2024-09-10
Completion Date
2029-07-30
Last Updated
2024-06-28
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Interventions
Dual x-ray scan
Annual whole body scan monitoring bone mineral density for whole body, radius, L1-4 and femur and body composition
Blood screen
Three times a year blood samples will be taken to measure: full blood count, ferritin, B12, folate, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), renal function, liver function, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), Free thyroxine (T4), luteinizing hormone (LH), oestradiol, testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), coeliac screen, vitamin D (25(OH)D), Leptin and Ghrelin
Questionnaires
Informed consent; Low energy availability questionnaires for males and females; General health including menstrual status (females)
Anthropometric measurements
Three times a year participant's measurements will be taken: stature, body mass and body composition (bio-impedence)
Resting Metabolic rate
Resting metabolic rate will be measured by resting gas analysis. Each participant will lie down for a period of 15 minutes, in the final 5 minutes their expired gases are analysed using a breath-by-breath gas analyser (Cortex).
Energy expenditure
Energy expenditure was estimated using accelerometery (Genieactive) and activity logs in the participants' normal environment, assessed during 3 weekdays of scheduled dance training and 2 weekend days without scheduled dance training. Focus is on daily energy expenditure
Locations (1)
University of Wolverhampton
Walsall, West Midlands, United Kingdom