Examination of Female Athlete Triad Components in College Softball Athletes

Abstract

Softball athletes are commonly overlooked when examining the Female Athlete Triad (Triad - low energy availability [LEA], menstrual cycle dysfunction [MCD], and low bone mineral density [BMD]) and eating disorder risk (ED). However, they engage in lengthy practices/games and anecdotally have poor eating habits and weight management issues which in turn may put them at risk. PURPOSE: Estimate the prevalence of Triad components in collegiate softball athletes. A secondary purpose is to examine LEA with or without ED. METHODS: Female NCAA Division I Softball athletes (n = 17; age 19.6 ± 1.1; height 168.6 ± 5.2 cm; weight 72.5 ± 11.23 kg) participated in this cross- sectional study. Participants completed demographic survey (age, academic status, etc.), Eating Disorder Inventory-3 (EDI-3), EDI-3 symptom checklist and menstrual cycle questionnaire. Each participant completed a DXA scan to examine BMD and completed a 7-day online dietary and exercise log. Ainsworth equation calculated exercise energy expenditure (EEE), and energy availability (EA) was calculated by EA= ((EI-EEE)/FFM). RESULTS: All collegiate softball athletes (n=17) were at a high risk for LEA with EA below 30 kcal/kg FFM/day for 6 of 7 days and 70.6% having LEA for 7 of 7 days of the study. Additionally, 82.3% (n = 14) were at risk for LEA with ED behaviors. None of the participants were at risk for low BMD (3.28 + 0.9); however 29.4% (n = 5) of the participants were at risk for amenorrhea and LEA. Energy needs revealed: RMR 1874 ±276.9 kcal, EI was 1338 ± 313.5 kcals and EEE 811 ± 130.5 kcals, and EA 7.8 ± 6.4 kcals-1kg-1FFM. Eating Disorder behaviors consisted of 47.1% dieting, 17.6% binge eating, 5.9% purging, 11.8% diet pills, and 47.1% used exercise to control weight 25-50% of the time. Additionally, 82.3% were at risk for EDs. CONCLUSIONS: Overall softball athletes are indeed at risk for at least 1-2 Triad components, more specifically LEA with ED risk behaviors and LEA with menstrual dysfunction. Education on energy needs specific for their sport demands may be beneficial for long term health and overall performance. Additional prevention and intervention strategies to decrease the risk for EDs is warranted in collegiate softball athletes.: