Proposed Cohort Study to Assess Energy Availability and RED-S Risk in Competitive Male Athletes Across Season
Background
Low energy availability (LEA) and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) are critical concerns for athletes, impacting not only performance but also long-term health. While the concept is well-established, comprehensive data on its seasonal fluctuations and multi-systemic effects in competitive adult male athletes are less robust compared to female athletes. Current understanding often lacks the granular detail of how energy balance shifts throughout training, competition, and transition periods, and how these changes correlate with specific metabolic, reproductive, hematological, and gut microbiota biomarkers. This proposed study aims to fill this gap by providing a holistic, longitudinal view of energy status and its physiological consequences in this specific population.
Study Design
This proposed cohort observational study will assess the risk of low energy availability and RED-S in competitive adult male athletes. Researchers plan to determine changes in athlete's energy availability, health biomarkers in blood, gut microbiota composition, and performance across three key stages of the season: preparation, competition, and transition period. The study will investigate correlations between energy availability and resting metabolic rate, metabolic functions, reproductive functions, hematological biomarkers, gut microbiota composition, and overall performance in this cohort. No specific intervention or dose is applied; rather, the study observes natural variations.
Why It Matters
Understanding the seasonal dynamics of energy availability and its impact on various physiological systems in male athletes is crucial for optimizing their health and performance. Establishing these correlations could lead to more precise nutritional and training strategies, helping coaches and sports medicine professionals identify athletes at risk of RED-S earlier. This research could inform personalized interventions, potentially preventing long-term health complications and improving athletic longevity. The findings may also highlight specific biomarkers that can serve as early warning signs, enabling proactive management rather than reactive treatment of RED-S symptoms, thereby enhancing overall athlete well-being and competitive edge.
energy-availability
red-s
male-athletes
sports-nutrition
performance
gut-microbiota