Author(s): DE MARIA, Y., PROL, A.K.A., JUZWIAK, C.R. , Institution: FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF SÃO PAULO, Country: BRAZIL, Abstract-ID: 199

INTRODUCTION:
The Female Athlete Triad (TRIAD), a syndrome affecting female athletes and physically active women, is characterized, in its most severe manifestation, by the presence of low energy availability (LEA), with or without the presence of eating disorder, along with amenorrhea and osteoporosis (1). The aim of this study was to identify the risk frequency for the TRIAD among female Brazilian endurance athletes and the self-reported eating practices of those at risk.
METHODS:
Brazilian female runners (n=60) and triathletes (n=44) aged 18-39 years old, training at least 5 hours/week, and regularly competing answered online to the validated Brazilian version of the Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire (LEAF-Q) (2). Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney test and independent t-test were used to assess association between variables. Athletes at TRIAD risk (LEAF-Q score equal or above 8) answered 4 additional questions about their eating practices.
RESULTS:
Athletes’ mean age and BMI were of 30.2 (5.2) years old and 21.7 (2.0) kg/m2, with no difference between runners and triathletes. Mean training load was of 10 (4.7) and 14.4 (8.1) hours/week for runners and triathletes, respectively (p<0.001). TRIAD risk was identified in 36 (34.6%) participants. There was no association between training load (hours/week), BMI, and TRIAD risk. Among the three dimensions of the LEAF-Q, gastrointestinal dysfunction had the higher frequency (n=50; 48.1%), while injuries and menstrual disfunction were observed in 37 (35.6%) and 46 (44.2%) of the participants, respectively. There was an association between injuries presence and menstrual disfunction (p<0.02). In this study, 45 (43.3%) of athletes noticed changes in their menstruation due to increased training intensity and 12 (11.5%) were amenorrheic (more than 4 months without menstruation). There were no statistical differences between runners and triathletes regarding the scores of each LEAF-Q domain, indicating that athletes from both endurance sports disciplines have similar risk to present signs and symptoms of LEA and, consequently, risk for the TRIAD. Of the athletes at risk for the TRIAD, 25 (69.5%) were dissatisfied with their bodies and 29 (80.5%) reported to adopt dietary weight control strategies, with only 11 (37.9%) doing so with nutritional monitoring.
CONCLUSION:
The relatively high frequency of TRIAD risk among female Brazilian endurance athletes draws attention to the fact that it is necessary to raise awareness among these athletes of the risks related to the development of LEA and the TRIAD.

1. Nattiv et al. (2007). Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 39 (10): 1867-82.
2. De Maria & Juzwiak (2021). Revista Brasileira de Medicina do Esporte, 27 (2): 184-88.