Low Energy Availability and Risk of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-s)

This study aimed to evaluate food consumption and the prevalence of Low Energy Availability (LEA) and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-s) within a group of women practitioners of resistance training. The sample consisted of 23 women, with a mean age of 23 ± 4.73 years, average body mass of 59.6 ± 5.26 kg and average height of 163 ± 6.61 cm. They underwent anamnesis, a daily dietary record to assess caloric intake and a daily activity record, and with this information the total energy expenditure (TEE) was determined. Body composition was assessed using skinfolds. The Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire (LEAF-Q) was applied and the energy availability (EA) of each subject was calculated. The results showed that the average total caloric intake was 1757 ± 557 kcal (95% CI 1516 - 1998), while the TEE was 2064 ± 185 kcal (95% CI 1983 - 2144). The mean EA was 38.6 ± 11.8 kcal/kg FFM/day (95% CI 33.5 - 43.7). LEA was present in 21.74% of the sample. The average score obtained in the LEAF-Q questionnaire was 4.13 ± 2.52 (95% CI 2.82 - 5.0), with 8.7% of volunteers classified at risk of RED-s. It is concluded that LEA and high risk for RED-s are not prevalent among women practitioners of resistance training.