Prevalence Of Low Energy Availability In Female Recreational Runners Participating In The Ogden Marathon

Prevalence of Low Energy Availability in Female Recreational Runners Participating in theOgden Marathon Low energy availability (LEA) can adversely affect both health and performance of femaleathletes. PURPOSE: This study investigated the prevalence of LEA among a group ofrecreational female runners participating in the Ogden Marathon. METHODS: This study used across-sectional design as part of a larger investigation examining the physiological andbiomechanical aspects of participation in a predominantly eccentric race. A total of sixteenfemale participants were eligible for analysis (age 36.4 ± 8.3 years, range 20-49 yrs; BMI 22.2 ± 3.0, range 18.60-30.0 kg/m2). Eligible participants completed the Low-Energy Availability inFemales Questionnaire (LEAF-Q), a validated screening tool that assesses risk factorsassociated with low energy availability including injury history, menstrual function, andgastrointestinal symptoms. The LEAF-Q was administered online and was completed within 30 days pre-marathon. Body composition was measured pre-race using bioelectrical impedance forparticipants who followed the full study protocol (n = 12). RESULTS: A total of 50.0% ofparticipants were classified as being at risk of having LEA (LEAF-Q score ≥ 8). All participantswere college-educated, with 50% holding advanced (graduate) degrees. Body fat percentageaveraged 23.4% ± 7.7% (range: 16.1%-42.0%), weekly training volume averaged 8.5 ± 4.3 hours (range: 3.0-20.0 hours), and race finish time averaged 271.5 ± 68.1 minutes(range:193.3-399.2 minutes). There were no significant correlations between age, body fatpercentage, weekly training volume, race finish times, and total LEAF-Q scores. CONCLUSION: The study findings indicate a notable prevalence of LEA among recreational female runners, with half of the participants classified as at risk. Despite this prevalence, no significantrelationships were observed between LEAF-Q scores and variables such as age, body fatpercentage, weekly training volume, or race finish times. These results suggest that LEA mayoccur independently of these commonly assessed factors, highlighting the importance ofscreening for LEA in recreational athletes to support both their health and athletic performance.