Abstract
We examined the effects of adequate energy intake on bone strength and bone mass under exercise and low nutrient intake using a rat model of the female athlete triad (FAT). Seven-week-old female rats were divided into four groups: sedentary and ad libitum feeding group (SED), exercise and ad libitum feeding group (EX), exercise and 30% food restriction group (EX-FR), and exercise, 30% food restriction and adequate energy intake group (EX-FR + Ene). Excise groups were performed a voluntary running. The EX-FR + Ene group was fed glucose ad-libitum to adequate energy intake. The experiment lasted for 12 weeks. The energy availability, internal organ weight, bone size, bone strength, bone mass, and calcium absorption in the EX-FR group were significantly lower than those in the EX group. There were no significant differences in these parameters except bone strength in between the EX and EX-FR + Ene groups. The breaking energy in the EX-FR + Ene group was significantly lower than those in the EX group. Our results provide evidence that adequate energy intake is important for optimal bone growth in young female athletes.
Highlights
Low bone mass, one of the components of the female athlete triad (FAT), is a serious problem for young female athletes [1]
There were no significant difference between the exercise and 30% food restriction group (EX-FR) and EX-FR + Ene groups
There were no significant differences in the percentage of the power spectrum of the running distance and energy availability between the EX and EX-FR + Ene groups
Summary
One of the components of the female athlete triad (FAT), is a serious problem for young female athletes [1]. In American Journal of Sports Science 2019; 7(3): 127-135 exercising female rats, Swift et al reported that reducing all nutrients or restriction of energy by reducing carbohydrates alone resulted in bone loss; calcium (Ca) restriction did not result in bone loss [6]. These reports suggest that inadequate energy intake negatively affects bone health in sedentary and exercising women. It is unclear if adequate energy condition under low nutrient intake of prevents bone impairment in young female athletes. If energy availability strongly affects the bone, only optimal energy availability can induce optimal bone growth
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