ECSS Paris 2023: CP-PN21
INTRODUCTION: Triathlon demands high training volume and intensity, placing athletes at risk of sustained energy deficits. Sustained energy deficits can lead to problematic LEA, impairing physiological functions. While this has been studied in elite triathletes, little has been done in amateur triathletes. This study investigates energy balance and availability, body composition, health and well-being outcomes in amateur triathletes over a 12-week period. METHODS: Seventeen participants completed three-day diet records using Intake24, a validated online dietary recall tool, to assess energy intake at 12, 6, and 2 weeks pre-race. Energy expenditure was estimated from wearable devices. Self-reported energy levels, training quality, sleep quality, injuries, menstrual changes and mental well-being were recorded at each time point through a questionnaire. Body composition was assessed via DEXA at baseline and post-race. A post-race questionnaire captured race outcomes and self-perceived nutrition management. Energy deficits were averaged and defined as anything more than -500kcal to account for estimated and self-reported recordings. Two-way ANOVA was used to analyse differences between energy balance and energy deficit athletes' outcomes and Pearson’s for correlations RESULTS: The prevalence of sustained energy deficits was 41% across the 12 weeks. Prevalence of deficits at each time point was 47% at 12 weeks, 23% at 6 weeks, and 35% at 2 weeks. There was a day-of-week pattern where on Saturdays, 47–65% of participants were in energy deficit, compared with 12–41% on Thursdays and 23.5–41% on Fridays. At all time points, athletes in energy deficits had significantly poorer mental well-being (p=0.0058, 0.05, 0.024), less sleep (p=0.0071, 0.0321, 0.0468), and lower energy levels (p=0.0282, 0.0115, 0.0352). Overall, they had more injuries (p= 0.0345), more menstrual disturbances (p= 0.0476), losses in spinal bone mineral density (p=0.002) and more muscle cramps during their race. A strong positive correlation was found between the degree of energy balance and hours of sleep (p=0.0005, r=0.7530). Training volume remained similar to those in energy balance across the 12 weeks, suggesting potential behavioural rigidity or compulsive training tendencies. CONCLUSION: Sustained energy deficits are common in triathletes and, in our cohort, were linked to several adverse health and well-being outcomes. These findings highlight the importance of long-term monitoring across the training cycle to identify athletes at risk of LEA. Cross-sectional assessments may have produced very different prevalence estimates, as some athletes experienced isolated days of energy balance yet still accumulated a substantial overall deficit. This study reinforces the need for practical methods to assess and address fuelling adequacy, as well as improved education to help triathletes understand the impact of both unintentional and intentional under fuelling.
Read CV Charlotte MclauchlanECSS Paris 2023: CP-PN21
INTRODUCTION: Research on athletes’ gut microbiome and RED-S risk is limited. This study aimed to analyze the structure and functional potential of the gut microbiome in elite cross-country skiers in relation to RED-S risk. METHODS: The study included 18 participants: 9 elite Polish National Team cross-country skiers (CCS) and 9 young, healthy, physically inactive women as controls (CON). During the peak-load preparatory season, energy intake and energy expenditure were tracked. The CSS group underwent RED-S screening. Post-microcycle fecal samples underwent metagenomic profiling. RESULTS: Based on the IOC RED-S CAT2, two skier subgroups were identified: high/moderate (HM_RED-S; n=6) and low (L_RED-S; n=3) risk of RED-S. The CSS group demonstrated higher energy expenditure (2961 vs. 1885 kcal) and energy intake (2975 vs. 1814 kcal) than CON, along with greater macronutrient intake, specifically carbohydrates (7 vs. 4 g/kg bm), protein (2.1 vs. 1 g/kg bm), and fat (1.5 vs. 1.4 g/kg bm). Fiber consumption (23 vs. 16 g) and most micronutrient intakes were also higher, with the exception of vitamin K, omega-3 fatty acids, and selenium. No significant differences in energy (38.75 vs. 38 kcal) or carbohydrate availability (7.5 vs. 6.6 g/kg bm) were observed between the HM_RED-S and L_RED-S groups. CSS was further characterized by greater gut species richness and distinct taxonomic and functional profiles, including higher C. sp. AF34_13 and R. lactatiformans abundance and more degradation pathways in athletes, whereas controls showed higher levels of L. lactis and R. callidus. Paradoxically, HM_RED-S athletes exhibited significantly higher species richness compared to CON, suggesting a compensatory expansion of niche-specific taxa. While CON was enriched in core metabolic pathways (TCA cycle, glycolysis) and butyrate producers (L. lactis, C. butyricum), HM_RED-S athletes showed a functional shift toward specialized degradation (e.g., gallate, catechol) and increased vitamin biosynthesis (B1, K2). HM_RED-S groups were also characterized by taxa associated with high protein/aromatic turnover (R. lactatiformans, P. gallinarum) and depletion of the health-associated D. welbionis, signaling an adaptation to an energy-restricted environment despite higher overall richness. This indicates a metabolic pivot toward scavenging energy from complex secondary compounds due to primary fuel insufficiency. CONCLUSION: Increased microbial diversity, accompanied by a reduction in taxa commonly associated with gut health, may represent a compensatory response to high training demands and potentially suboptimal carbohydrate availability in RED-S athletes. The observed functional shift toward specialized degradation pathways further suggests microbial adaptation to more complex energy substrates. Accordingly, higher diversity in RED-S could reflect a metabolically “scavenging-like” state rather than superior gut health, even when overall energy availability appears adequate.
Read CV Barbara FraczekECSS Paris 2023: CP-PN21
INTRODUCTION: Artistic swimming requires stringent physique control and high training loads, increasing susceptibility to low energy availability (LEA) and relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S). LEA/RED-S is associated with menstrual dysfunction, gastrointestinal disturbances, higher injury risk, and impaired performance. Data on LEA/RED-S screening in elite Asian aesthetic athletes remain limited. This cross-sectional study aimed to: (i) estimate potential LEA risk in elite female artistic swimmers using the LEAF-Q; (ii) compare outcomes by competitive level; (iii) examine associations between body-weight fluctuation and LEA risk. METHODS: 29 elite female artistic swimmers (mean age: 19.9±4.1 years; mean training experience: 12.3±4.6 years) were enrolled, comprising 19 national-level and 10 first-class athletes. The primary tool was the validated LEAF-Q, which assesses injury history, gastrointestinal function, and menstrual function over the preceding month.A total score≥8 defined a screen-positive result for LEA risk, with subscale thresholds of >2 for injury, >2 for gastrointestinal, and >4 for menstrual dysfunction. Additionally, a battery of supplementary questionnaires was administered to capture associated behaviors and states, including detailed dietary restriction practices, body image dissatisfaction using a standardized scale, and emotional status screened via a validated depression inventory. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests for group comparisons, and Pearson correlation analysis (significance set at p<0.05).The study was conducted in accordance with the latest revision of the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the Ethics Committee of Beijing Sport University (No.2025027H). RESULTS: The mean LEAF-Q total score was 7.4±3.7. The overall prevalence of screen-positive LEA risk was 34.5% (9/29). Menstrual dysfunction (subscale score >4) was the most prevalent indicator (33.3%). National-level athletes demonstrated significantly greater weight fluctuation and higher LEAF-Q total scores compared to first-class athletes (p<0.05). Weight fluctuation was positively correlated with LEAF-Q total score (r=0.42, p<0.05). Supplementary data revealed that 45% of athletes engaged in frequent dietary restriction, 35% reported body image dissatisfaction, and 25% showed mild-to-moderate depressive tendencies. CONCLUSION: This study indicates a high prevalence (34.5%) of potential LEA/RED-S risk among elite female artistic swimmers in China, with menstrual dysfunction being predominant. Significant associations were identified with weight fluctuation, restrictive dietary behaviors, and psychological factors. Routine screening with the LEAF-Q, combined with integrated assessment of nutritional and psychological status, is essential for implementing targeted interventions to protect athlete health and optimize performance.
Read CV Fan yuncaiECSS Paris 2023: CP-PN21