Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports
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Scand J Med Sci Sports · May 2019
Low energy availability, menstrual dysfunction, and impaired bone health: A survey of elite para athletes.
The Female Athlete Triad (Triad) is a syndrome describing three interrelated conditions: low energy availability (LEA), menstrual dysfunction, and low bone mineral density (BMD). Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) expands the Triad to include multiple physiologic consequences of LEA in both sexes. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of factors associated with the Triad/RED-S in an elite para athlete population. ⋯ Factors associated with the Triad/RED-S are present in an elite para athlete population, regardless of sex or sport type. Awareness of the Triad/RED-S in para athletes is low. The consequences of LEA in para athlete populations are poorly understood. However, the high prevalence of factors observed suggests value in advancing screening tools and education efforts to optimize health in this population.