Relativni energijski primanjkljaj pri plesalkah

Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) is a clinically diagnosed, multifactorial syndrome characterized by insufficient caloric intake and/or excessive energy expenditure, leading to health and performance issues associated with low energy availability (LEA). This research aimed to assess the prevalence of LEA and REDs related health risks, evaluate the impact of energy availability (EA) on menstrual health, bone health, and injury prevalence, and validate the Slovenian version of the Dance Energy Availability Questionnaire (DEAQ). We employed a comprehensive approach that included all currently used screening tools (e.g., LEAF-Q and DEAQ) alongside objective assessments (e.g., RMR, blood tests, accelerometry, and dietary recording) of energy availability. Findings revealed that approximately 29% of dancers met the criteria for LEA. Although artistic dancers exhibited lower EA than sport dancers, no statistically significant differences were found between the two groups (p = ,421). Menstrual disturbances were observed in 47.6% of dancers, with a significant association between the occurrence of oligomenorrhea and the presence of LEA (p = ,044). While 60.4% of dancers exhibited vitamin D deficiency, this was not significantly correlated with bone injuries (p = ,716). However, artistic dancers had 5.1 times higher odds of sustaining bone injuries, whereas sport dancers were more prone to soft tissue injuries, suggesting that training load and biomechanical demands may play a greater role in injury risk than EA alone. The Slovenian DEAQ demonstrated excellent reliability (ICC = 0.98, 95% CI [0.967,0.993]), confirming its validity as a screening tool for LEA and REDs risk assessment. Given the high prevalence of inadequate carbohydrate intake (90.5%) and restrictive eating behaviours (34%), the study highlights the need for early detection and preventive strategies. Integrating nutrition specialists into dance training programs could help optimize energy intake, monitor LEA risk, and prevent long-term health consequences.