A Nutrition App To Address Low Energy Availability In Women NCAA Division III Soccer Athletes

PURPOSE: Female collegiate athletes are at elevated risk for low energy availability, which may negatively impact strength and muscle mass during competitive seasons. Therefore, we utilized a commercially available sports nutrition app to assess body composition, strength, and energy availability during the competitive season of NCAA Division III women’s soccer athletes. METHODS: Twenty-one athletes completed this pilot study, which included the use of a sports nutrition app during the 2024 season. Before and after the season, athletes completed the Low Energy Availability in Females questionnaire (LEAF-Q) along with a battery of tests, including body composition (InBody) and grip strength (Jamar handgrip dynamometer). RESULTS: Risk of low energy availability (LEA Risk: LEAF-Q score ≥ 8) was present in 7 of 21 athletes. Grip strength (Pre: 30.2 ± 4.2 kg; Post: 31.8 ± 4.1 kg’; P = 0.040) and dry lean mass (Pre: 12.5 ± 1.5 kg; Post: 12.7 ± 1.4 kg; P = 0.032) increased from pre- to post-season. Notably, improvements in grip strength were greater in athletes with pre-season LEAF-Q ≥ 8 (Mixed model, Time P = 0.007, LEA Risk P = ns, Interaction P = 0.033; +3.14 kg, Fisher’s LSD Pre- vs Post-Season in LEAF-Q ≥ 8, P = 0.004). Additionally, skeletal muscle mass increases were driven by athletes with pre-season LEAF-Q ≥ 8 (2-way RM ANOVA, Time P = 0.033, LEA Risk P = ns, Interaction P = ns; ± 0.7 kg, Fisher’s LSD Pre- vs Post-Season in LEAF-Q ≥ 8, P = 0.040). CONCLUSIONS: App-based nutrition support in Division III women’s soccer athletes may support strength and body composition improvement during the competitive season. Athletes at risk for low energy availability may receive more pronounced benefit from this app-based nutrition support. Supported by: self-funded