Abstract：
OBJECTIVE: Despite the introduction of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-s) in 2014, there is evidence to suggest that male endurance athletes still present with a high prevalence of low energy availability (LEA). Previous findings suggest that energy availability (EA) status is strongly correlated with impairments in endocrine function such as reduced leptin, triiodothyronine (T3), and insulin, and elevated bone loss. This study aimed to report the current EA status, endocrine function and bone health of highly trained Irish male endurance athletes.
METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, participants (n = 3 triathletes; n = 10 runners) completed a 7-day testing period during the competition season using lab-based measures, to ascertain EA status, hormone level and rates of bone metabolism. Serum blood samples were obtained to assess hormone levels and markers of bone metabolism.
RESULTS: Mean EA was < 30 kcal/kg lean body mass (LBM)/day in 76.9% of athletes. There was a strong association between LEA and low carbohydrate intake, and lower LBM. Mean levels of insulin, IGF-1 and leptin were significantly lower than their reference ranges. Elevated mean concentrations of β-CTX and a mean P1NP: β-CTX ratio < 100, indicated a state of bone resorption.
CONCLUSIONS: The EA level, carbohydrate intake, hormone status and bone metabolism status of highly trained male endurance athletes are a concern. Based on the findings of this study, more frequent assessment of EA across a season is recommended to monitor the status of male endurance athletes, in conjunction with nutritional education specific to EA and the associated risks.
METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, participants (n = 3 triathletes; n = 10 runners) completed a 7-day testing period during the competition season using lab-based measures, to ascertain EA status, hormone level and rates of bone metabolism. Serum blood samples were obtained to assess hormone levels and markers of bone metabolism.
RESULTS: Mean EA was < 30 kcal/kg lean body mass (LBM)/day in 76.9% of athletes. There was a strong association between LEA and low carbohydrate intake, and lower LBM. Mean levels of insulin, IGF-1 and leptin were significantly lower than their reference ranges. Elevated mean concentrations of β-CTX and a mean P1NP: β-CTX ratio < 100, indicated a state of bone resorption.
CONCLUSIONS: The EA level, carbohydrate intake, hormone status and bone metabolism status of highly trained male endurance athletes are a concern. Based on the findings of this study, more frequent assessment of EA across a season is recommended to monitor the status of male endurance athletes, in conjunction with nutritional education specific to EA and the associated risks.
摘要：
目标：尽管在2014年引入了运动中相对能量不足（RED-s），但有证据表明，男性耐力运动员仍然存在低能量可用性（LEA）的高患病率。先前的研究结果表明，能量可用性（EA）状态与内分泌功能受损密切相关，例如瘦素减少，三碘甲状腺原氨酸（T3），和胰岛素，和骨质流失增加。本研究旨在报告当前的EA状态，训练有素的爱尔兰男性耐力运动员的内分泌功能和骨骼健康。
方法：在这项横断面研究中，参与者（n=3名铁人三项运动员；n=10名跑步者）在比赛季节使用基于实验室的措施完成了为期7天的测试期，为了确定EA状态，激素水平和骨代谢率。获得血清血样以评估激素水平和骨代谢标志物。
结果：76.9％的运动员平均EA为<30kcal/kg瘦体重（LBM）/天。LEA和低碳水化合物摄入量之间有很强的关联，较低的LBM。平均胰岛素水平,IGF-1和瘦素显著低于其参考范围。β-CTX的平均浓度升高和P1NP:β-CTX的平均比率<100表明骨吸收状态。
结论：EA级别，碳水化合物的摄入量，训练有素的男性耐力运动员的激素状态和骨代谢状况令人担忧。根据这项研究的结果，建议对整个赛季的EA进行更频繁的评估，以监测男性耐力运动员的状况，结合特定于EA的营养教育和相关风险。
方法：在这项横断面研究中，参与者（n=3名铁人三项运动员；n=10名跑步者）在比赛季节使用基于实验室的措施完成了为期7天的测试期，为了确定EA状态，激素水平和骨代谢率。获得血清血样以评估激素水平和骨代谢标志物。
结果：76.9％的运动员平均EA为<30kcal/kg瘦体重（LBM）/天。LEA和低碳水化合物摄入量之间有很强的关联，较低的LBM。平均胰岛素水平,IGF-1和瘦素显著低于其参考范围。β-CTX的平均浓度升高和P1NP:β-CTX的平均比率<100表明骨吸收状态。
结论：EA级别，碳水化合物的摄入量，训练有素的男性耐力运动员的激素状态和骨代谢状况令人担忧。根据这项研究的结果，建议对整个赛季的EA进行更频繁的评估，以监测男性耐力运动员的状况，结合特定于EA的营养教育和相关风险。
