Objective: The syndrome of relative energy deficiency in sports (RED-S) is the result of a prolonged period of low energy availability in athletes and leads to the deterioration of health and physical performance. Our study aimed to investigate the prevalence of RED-S-related health and performance problems in young Slovenian athletes, comparing middle (14-17 years) with late (18-21 years) adolescents.
Methods: We analysd data of 118 young athletes (61 females, 57 males) who had nutritional assessments. Statistical analysis was carried out to determine the prevalence of RED-S-related problems. RED-S was diagnosed using the Relative Energy Deficiency Tool and the Sports Clinical Assessment Tool. Nutrition-related risk factors for RED-S were assessed with the use of a questionnaire and analysis of a three-day food diary.
Results: The majority of athletes had at least one RED-S-related health disorder. The number of health-related disorders was significantly higher in females 3.0 (0.2) compared to males 1.6 (0.2). It was also significantly higher in middle 2.6 (0.2) compared to 1.9 (0.3) late adolescents. Potential nutritional risk factors for RED-S were low carbohydrate intake, skipping meals before and after practice, a desire to lose weight, and a history of weight loss in the past year.
Conclusion: The prevalence of health-related RED-S disorders and performance problems in young athletes is concerning, and our study indicates that middle adolescents are more vulnerable to this than late adolescents. Our findings suggest that screening for RED-S symptoms and nutrition-related risk factors for RED-S should be included in regular medical examination of young athletes.
Namen: Sindrom relativnega pomanjkanja energije v športu (RED-S) je posledica daljšega obdobja nizke energijske razpoložljivosti športnikov in vodi v poslabšanje zdravja in telesne zmogljivosti. Cilj študije je bil raziskati razširjenost težav, povezanih z RED-S, v reprezentativni populaciji mladih slovenskih športnikov tekmovalcev. Primerjali smo mladoletne športnike (14–17 let) s polnoletnimi (18–21 let).
Metode: Analizirali smo zbirko podatkov za 118 mladih športnikov (61 žensk, 57 moških), ki so imeli prehransko obravnavo v okviru zdravstvenega pregleda. Opravljena je bila statistična analiza za določitev razširjenosti težav, povezanih z RED-S, v štirih podskupinah: mladoletnice, polnoletnice, mladoletniki in polnoletniki. RED-S je bil diagnosticiran z orodjema Relative Energy Deficiency Tool in Sports Clinical Assessment Tool. S prehrano povezani potencialni dejavniki tveganja za RED-S so bili ocenjeni s pomočjo vprašalnika in analize 3-dnevnega dnevnika prehrane.
Rezultati: Večina športnikov je imela vsaj en zdravstveni problem, povezan z RED-S; le sedem športnikov zdravstvenih težav ni imelo. Število zdravstvenih težav je bilo pomembno večje pri športnicah: 3,0 (0,2) kot športnikih: 1,6 (0,2). Prav tako je bil bistveno višji pri mladoletnih: 2,6 (0,2) v primerjavi s polnoletnimi: 1,9 (0,3). S prehrano povezani potencialni dejavniki tveganja za RED-S so bili nizek vnos ogljikovih hidratov, izpuščanje obrokov pred vadbo in po njej, želja po izgubi telesne mase in zgodovina izgube telesne mase v zadnjem letu.
Sklepi: Razširjenost z zdravjem povezanih problemov RED-S in težav s telesno aktivnostjo pri mladih športnikih je zaskrbljujoča. Naša študija kaže, da so mladoletni športniki ranljivejši od polnoletnih mladih športnikov. Naše ugotovitve kažejo, da je treba presejanje za RED-S in s prehrano povezanih dejavnikov tveganja za RED-S vključiti v redne zdravstvene preglede mladih športnikov.
Keywords: Low energy availability; Nutritional risk; Relative energy; Young athletes; deficiency in sport.
© 2023 Eva Peklaj et al., published by Sciendo.