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Title:

Indicators of Exercise Addiction Are Increased in Female Athletes At Risk For Low Energy Availability

Document type:
Konferenzbeitrag
Contribution type:
Poster
Author(s):
Wasserfurth,Paulina; Toepffer, Désirée; Engel, Helena; Kirchner, Karima; Halioua, Robin; Claussen, Malte; Koehler, Karsten
Pages contribution:
S1–S17
Abstract:
Relative energy deficiency in sports (RED-S) is centered by chronic low energy availability (LEA), with a bidirectional causative relationship with mental health. Aside the well-established link between eating disorders and LEA, exercise addiction (ExA) has been proposed as another independent LEA risk factor. The aim of this investigation was to assess the relationship between LEA, eating disorders, ExA and biomarkers indicative of LEA in a sample of female endurance athletes. In a cross-sectional study, 23 athletes (27 ± 6 yrs, BMI 20.6 ± 2.0 kg/m2) who train ≥ 4 times/week completed the Low Energy in Females Questionnaire (LEAF-Q), the Brief Eating Disorder in Athletes Questionnaire (BEDA-Q), and an expanded version of the Exercise Addiction Inventory (EAI). Biomarkers of LEA included a reduction in resting metabolic rate, defined as a ratio of measured and predicted RMR < 0.9 and reduced circulating concentrations of triiodothyronine (T3). According to the LEAF scores, 52% of all athletes were at risk of LEA. Athletes at risk for LEA demonstrated a higher risk for eating disorders (42% vs. 9%) and exercise addiction (ExA; 25% vs. 0%), which was predominantly (67%) categorized as secondary ExA. Overall, EAI scores were increased in athletes at risk for LEA (22.4 ± 3.7 vs 18.9 ± 2.7, p=0.014), and more of those athletes reported to train despite pain or injury (42% vs. 18%). Additionally, athletes at risk for LEA were more likely to have suppressed RMR and low T3 (42% vs 36% and 17% vs. 9% respectively). EAI scores were not associated with LEA biomarkers. Our findings indicate that the inclusion of exercise addiction could complement the LEAF-Q when screening athletes for LEA. Given that mental health and LEA are bidirectional, early detection of compromised mental health could aid in prevention of chronic LEA and RED-S. Acknowledgements: This study was funded by the Robert-Enke-Foundation.
Dewey Decimal Classification:
570 Biowissenschaften, Biologie; 610 Medizin und Gesundheit; 790 Sport, Spiele, Unterhaltung
Book / Congress title:
International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism
Congress (additional information):
International Sport and Exercise Nutrition Conference
Volume:
33
Edition:
S1
Organization:
International Sport and Exercise Nutrition Conference
Year:
2023
Language:
en
Fulltext / DOI:
doi:10.1123/ijsnem.2022-0267
Semester:
WS 22-23
TUM Institution:
Professur für Bewegung, Ernährung und Gesundheit
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