Female Lacrosse Players Research Articles

The Impact of Energy Balance on Sleep Time and Recovery

In female athletes, prolonged energy deficits have been demonstrated to negatively influence performance, recovery, and impair sleep. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between energy status, sleep quality, recovery and training satisfaction in Division II female lacrosse players. METHODS: Twenty-two female lacrosse players (20.4 ± 1.79 years, 69.1 ± 8.7 kg, 168 ± 6.3 cm, 28.1 ± 2.99% fat) wore a physical activity monitor to assess total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) and recorded dietary intake using MyFitnessPal over a four-day period during NCAA season play. Energy balance over the four-day period was then calculated based on the sum of total energy in – TDEE. Upon returning the physical activity monitor, players also completed a questionnaire that assessed total sleep, sleep quality, ratings of recovery, soreness and satisfaction with training using visual analog scales. RESULTS: Players presented with an average energy deficit of -1,186.85 kcal/d (SD = 813.09) and an average of 6.77 (SD = 1.02) hrs. of sleep per night. Those in a state of higher energy balance reported more hours of sleep (r = 0.641, p = 0.001), felt more rested (r = 0.535, p = 0.01) and were more satisfied with training (r = 0.484, p=0.023). CONCLUSION: Our results imply that an improved energy state helps to facilitate an increase in total hours slept. An improved energy state also appears to result in athletes feeling more rested and satisfied with training during the competitive season. Female lacrosse players demonstrated that a more favorable state of energy balance appears to be associated with more total hours of sleep, feeling better rested and being more satisfied with training. Therefore maintaining a positive energy balance should be a primary focus for coaches and athletes to help promote optimal training, performance, and recovery.

The First Decade of Web-Based Sports Injury Surveillance: Descriptive Epidemiology of Injuries in US High School Girls' Lacrosse (2008-2009 Through 2013-2014) and National Collegiate Athletic Association Women's Lacrosse (2004-2005 Through 2013-2014).

The advent of Web-based sports injury surveillance via programs such as the High School Reporting Information Online (HS RIO) system and the National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance Program (NCAA-ISP) has aided the acquisition of girls' and women's lacrosse injury data. To describe the epidemiology of injuries sustained in high school girls' lacrosse in the 2008-2009 through 2013-2014 academic years and collegiate women's lacrosse in the 2004-2005 through 2013-2014-academic years using Web-based sports injury surveillance. Descriptive epidemiology study. Online injury surveillance from high school girls' (annual average = 55) and collegiate women's (annual average = 19) lacrosse teams. Female lacrosse players who participated in practices or competitions during the 2008-2009 through 2013-2014 academic years for high school or the 2004-2005 through 2013-2014 academic years for college. Athletic trainers collected time-loss injury (≥24 hours) and exposure data. We calculated injury rates per 1000 athlete-exposures (AEs), injury rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and injury proportions by body site and diagnosis. High school RIO documented 700 time-loss injuries during 481 687 AEs; the NCAA-ISP documented 1027 time-loss injuries during 287 856 AEs. The total injury rate during 2008-2009 through 2013-2014 was higher in college than in high school (2.55 versus 1.45/1000 AEs; IRR = 1.75; 95% CI = 1.54, 1.99). Most injuries occurred during competitions in high school (51.1%) and practices in college (63.8%). Rates were higher during competitions compared with practices in high school (IRR = 2.32; 95% CI = 2.00, 2.69) and college (IRR = 2.38; 95% CI = 2.09, 2.70). Concussion was the most common diagnosis among all high school and most collegiate player positions, and the main mechanism of contact was with a playing apparatus (eg, stick, ball). Ligament sprains were also common (HS RIO practices = 22.2%, competitions = 30.3%; NCAA-ISP practices = 25.5%, competitions = 30.9%). Rates of injury were higher in college versus high school female lacrosse players and in competitions versus practices. Injury-prevention strategies are essential to decrease the incidence and severity of concussions and ligament sprains.

Core Stability and Athletic Performance in Male and Female Lacrosse Players

Core Stability and Athletic Performance in Male and Female Lacrosse Players

Incidence of Lower Extremity Injuries in 14- to 18-Year-Old Female Lacrosse Players from Long Island

Women’s lacrosse is a relatively young sport in the United States. The goal of this study was to determine which lower extremity injuries are prevalent in the game of lacrosse so that better training programs and protective equipment can be applied. Women’s lacrosse is nearly an entirely different game than men’s lacrosse and is expected to have unique injury patterns that have yet to be investigated. The authors polled 200 female lacrosse players of the Long Island Elite Lacrosse Club. Of those, 76 returned the survey with proper consent. Of the 76, only 14 reported never having an injury. A majority of the athletes that reported one or more injuries either self-treated or solely saw the team trainer without a doctor follow-up. While there are limitations to the study, it is clear community outreach is needed to guide players to seek treatment when injured.

Epidemiology of Injuries in Women's Lacrosse: Implications for Sport-, Level-, and Sex-Specific Injury Prevention Strategies

By the end of 2013, the United States had an estimated 278 000 female lacrosse players, with half of those participating at the youth level. The effects of the sport's rapid growth on injury rates have yet to be determined. The purpose of this clinical review is to synthesize the available published data on injuries that have occurred in the sport of women's lacrosse. Of particular interest was the risk of injury based on the level of play and position. A comprehensive literature search was performed in PubMed, High Wire Press, SPORTDiscus, Google Scholar, and Ovid using the keywords "Lacrosse Injuries," "Epidemiology Lacrosse Injuries," "Lacrosse Injury," "Lacrosse," and "Injury." The electronic search included material published during or after 1950. In addition, all bibliographies of electronically found sources were cross-referenced to identify any additional publications that were not produced in the electronic searches. All articles with data on women's injury rates were categorized by overall injury rates, rates by session (competition vs practice), nature of injury, location, type, severity, and player position. Injury rates increase with age: from youth leagues to high school and finally to the collegiate level. Rates of injury varied from 0.03 to 3.9 injuries/100 athletes. Women's game injury rates are consistently higher than practice injury rates (ranging from 0.2 to 7.1 vs 0.01 to 3.3). Injuries occur most frequently from stick-to-player or player-to-ball contact, rather than player-to-player contact. Women sustain a higher percentage of head and facial injuries relative to male lacrosse players. The most common types of injuries for women are concussions, sprains, contusions, and lacerations. More than half of all injuries are in the mild category resulting in players missing practice and games for 1 to 7 days. Offensive players had the most injuries, followed by defensive players and then midfielders, with goalies having the fewest number of injuries. In women's lacrosse, the rules and equipment used are substantially different than for the men's game. Face and hand injuries are more prevalent for women when compared with men, and ankle injuries are most prevalent in female youth. Medical professionals who treat lacrosse players can benefit from an improved understanding of the types and rates of the injuries they are likely to encounter. Improved awareness of lacrosse-specific injuries can assist these professionals to be more prepared to treat these athletes, which may lead to improved care and outcomes.

Relationship Between Knee Valgus Asymmetry During Running And Side-Step Cutting Mechanics in Female Lacrosse Players.

PURPOSE: Female athletes have a greater incidence of Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries than their male counterparts. Noncontact injuries are primarily responsible for ACL injuries in female lacrosse players. Side-step cutting (SSC) maneuvers are a common injury mechanism and it involves sudden changes in direction with acceleration or deceleration of the body. Dynamic knee valgus (KV) is an important biomechanical risk factor for ACL injuries during running and SSC but the relationship between KV asymmetry during running and kinetics related to ACL injury during SSC has not been identified. The purpose of this study was to compare ACL loading kinetics during SSC in female lacrosse players with symmetrical and asymmetrical KV during running. METHODS: Twenty-seven healthy female lacrosse athletes were classified in two groups (asymmetric: n=13 and symmetric: n=14) based on dynamic KV Symmetry Angle during a 3D analysis of running on an instrumented treadmill. Peak vertical ground reaction force (VGRF) and knee abduction moment (KABM) of the right limb were measured during right SSC to 45 degrees. Comparisons were made between the two groups for VGRF and KABM using Student’s t-test(α=0.05). RESULTS: The asymmetric group had significantly higher VGRF (2.42±0.73 vs. 2.18±0.36*BW, p=0.01) and KABM (-0.82±0.35 vs. -0.80±0.6 Nm/kg, p=0.003) during SSC. CONCLUSIONS: There is a suggestive relationship between KVA asymmetry during running and the magnitude of VGRF, KABM during SSC. Imbalances in knee kinematics during running could potentially be used as a screening tool to detect abnormal ACL loading kinetics during dynamic tasks like SSC.

Energy Balance, Body Composition, and Bone Health in Female Lacrosse Players

Energy Balance, Body Composition, and Bone Health in Female Lacrosse Players

Modulation of Spatial Attentional Allocation by Computer-Based Cognitive Training during Lacrosse Shooting Performance.

It has been reported that repetitive execution of a stimulus–response compatibility (SRC) task attenuates the interference effect of a choice reaction time task, known as a Simon task. We investigated whether attentional control, enhanced by repetitive execution of an SRC task, would reduce the interference effect of a Simon task and could be transferred to lacrosse shooting skills, increasing the likelihood that players would shoot in the direction opposite to the goalie’s initial movement. Female lacrosse players who were matched in terms of age, handedness score, competitive lacrosse playing experience, and playing position, were allocated to the SRC task group (n = 15) or the 2-back training group (n = 14). Participants underwent 10 sessions of 180 trials of a computer-based version of either a Type 2 SRC task or the 2-back task, within four consecutive weeks. Eight practice trials were completed prior to the execution of each task in every training session, during which feedback was provided to confirm accurate mapping between the stimulus and response. Before and after the training phase, both the magnitude of the Simon effect and the lacrosse shooting performance were assessed. After participating in computer-based cognitive training, players did indeed increase the number of shots toward the direction opposite to that of the movement of the goalie. In conclusion, these findings indicate that computer-based cognitive training is beneficial for improving the shooting ability of lacrosse players.

Sex-Based Differences in Cognitive Deficits and Symptom Reporting Among Acutely Concussed Adolescent Lacrosse and Soccer Players

Background: Research on the acute effects of a concussion among lacrosse players is limited, and postconcussion patterns between male and female athletes have yet to be clearly established. Differences in the style of play and protective gear worn among male and female lacrosse players potentially confound a direct comparison of sex-based differences in this population. Purpose: To explore sex-based differences in postconcussive neurocognitive functioning and symptom reporting outcomes in concussed adolescent male and female lacrosse players compared with a group of soccer players. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 224 adolescent lacrosse players (112 male, 112 female) aged 13 to 17 years (mean [±SD] age, 15.43 ± 1.09 years) were included in this study. A comparison group of soccer players was added and matched to lacrosse players based on age and sex to address confounding sport differences in male and female versions of lacrosse. All athletes underwent baseline and postinjury testing within 3 days of an injury using the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) tool. Data were analyzed at baseline using a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) with sport and sex as between-participant factors. A 2 × 2 × 2 mixed-factorial MANOVA was also conducted for sex and sport comparisons at baseline versus after a concussion. Ancillary analyses evaluated sex-based differences in exceeded reliable change indices (RCIs) using an independent-samples t test and established postinjury cutoff scores reflective of a protracted recovery using chi-square tests. Results: All athletes had a significantly worse cognitive profile and greater endorsement of symptoms after an injury (F5,216 = 30.30, P < .001, ηρ2 = .41). Sport yielded a significant main effect (F5,216 = 2.36, P = .04, ηρ2 = .05), but subsequent univariate analyses were nonsignificant (P > .05) across all neurocognitive and symptom outcome variables. Likewise, there were no significant interaction effects for sport × time (F5,216 = 1.46, P = .21, ηρ2 = .03) or sport × sex × time (F5,216 = 2.09, P = .07, ηρ2 = .05), indicating that lacrosse and soccer players respond similarly on neurocognitive testing and symptom reporting after sustaining a concussion. Regarding sex-based differences, female athletes had a significantly greater neurocognitive decline and increased symptoms after a concussion relative to male athletes, regardless of the sport type (sex × time interaction effect: F5,216 = 3.86, P = .002, ηρ2 = .08), with the relationship between concussions and sex demonstrating a medium- to large-sized effect. Female athletes demonstrated a significantly greater number of exceeded RCIs (t(216.16) = −3.732, P < .001), with 59% of male and 74% of female athletes with at least 1 RCI decline. Approximately 13% of male athletes, compared with 30% of female athletes, demonstrated scores indicative of protracted recovery at a 75% sensitivity (χ2 (1, N = 224) = 9.43, P = .002). Conclusion: Athletes performed more poorly on computerized cognitive screening tools and reported greater symptoms after an acute concussion relative to their baseline performance. Female sex may be a modifier of an acute concussion outcome, given that female athletes in this study performed significantly worse than male athletes across all neurocognitive measures and reported greater symptoms relative to their baseline testing compared with male athletes, regardless of the sport played. Female athletes were also more likely than male athletes to demonstrate scores on neurocognitive testing that exceeded reliable change cutoffs and were predictive of a protracted recovery. The practical significance of these findings should be further verified by prospective longitudinal research given the medium- to large-sized effect demonstrated for the overall relationship between sex and concussions.

Relationships Between Toe-Grip Strength and Static and Dynamic Balance During Single-leg Stance

Postural control deficit is considered a factor for lower limb injuries in athletes, such as knee and ankle joint injuries, and in recent years, relationships have been suggested between toe-grip strength and static and dynamic balance. Female athletes have a higher incidence of knee and ankle joint injuries than males, especially in soccer, basketball, and lacrosse. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between toe-grip strength and static and dynamic balance during single-leg stance in female collegiate lacrosse players. METHODS: Thirty-three female collegiate lacrosse players (mean age 19.3 ± 0.9 years, mean height 159.2 ± 5.4 cm, mean weight 55.3 ± 5.1 kg) participated in this study. Static balance was tested using a stabilometer by having participants maintain a single-leg stance for 30 s, with outcome measures including total locus length, total locus length per unit area and per unit time, and circumference and rectangular area of body sway. Dynamic balance was evaluated using three directions on the star excursion balance test (anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral). Correlations between toe-grip strength and static and dynamic balance were determined using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. The unpaired t-test was used to compare athletes with greater and lesser toe-grip strength. Significance level was p < 0.05. RESULTS: Toe-grip strength of the right foot was significantly negatively correlated with total locus length and total locus length per unit time (r = −0.354, p = 0.043, respectively), and athletes with a strong right-foot toe-grip had significantly shorter total locus length and total locus length per unit time compared with those with a weak one (p = 0.043, respectively). Athletes with a strong left-foot toe-grip had significantly longer normalized anterior reach distance (reach distance divided by leg length and multiplied by 100) on the star excursion balance test compared to those with a weak one (p = 0.020). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that toe-grip strength in female collegiate lacrosse players is related to static and dynamic balance ability in the single-leg stance and that its measurement and evaluation may contribute to the prevention of lower limb injuries, such as knee and ankle joint injuries, among female athletes.

Exploring the Culture of Concussion Safety in Major League Lacrosse: A Cross- Sectional Survey

Exploring the Culture of Concussion Safety in Major League Lacrosse: A Cross- Sectional Survey Objective: Lacrosse is one of the fastest growing sports in the United States, and concussion is among the most common athletic injuries. The purpose of this study was to explore concussion knowledge and culture of concussion safety among Major League Lacrosse (MLL) players, and to understand their concussion reporting behavior. Methods: Sixty-three male athletes, mean age 27 ± 3.45 years, participated. Subjects were all members of an MLL team during the 2014 season. Surveys regarding attitude toward concussion and perceived concussion norms were sent to these subjects. Subjects were excluded if they were not an MLL athlete or if they did not provide their informed consent to participate. Results: 39.7% of the participants reported at least one diagnosed concussion in their lifetime, while 55.6% reported at least one suspected but undiagnosed, concussion. Players felt that there was no significant difference between the likelihood of their current teammates or other male lacrosse players at various levels to report concussion symptoms. Participants felt that most National Football League players were less likely to report concussion symptoms, but female lacrosse players (at various levels) would report more. 83.33% of participants agreed that they should often or always set a good example about concussion safety for younger players. Finally, professional lacrosse players were willing to sustain an average of 3.02 and 4.58 concussions to earn $100,000 and $1,000,000, respectively. Conclusion: The culture of concussion safety and the symptom reporting behavior of MLL players may be influenced by the belief that professional players should act as role models for younger players. However, reports of multiple undiagnosed concussions and willingness to sustain multiple concussions for money may suggest that players lack complete understanding of concussion symptoms and consequences.

Rate of Injury Among Youth Lacrosse Players

This study describes the rate of injury and the types and mechanisms of injuries incurred by girls and boys during youth recreational lacrosse. Prospective cohort study. Games were played at a large turf community athletic complex. Participants included male and female lacrosse players aged 9-15 years. A total of 143 games were played, resulting in 4603 athlete-exposures (AEs). Youth players were grouped based on sex and 3 age categories: under 11 (U11; 9-10 years), under 13 (U13; 11-12 years), and under 15 (U15; 13-14 years). Certified athletic trainers collected data on type of injury and injury mechanism. There were 6.3 injuries per 1000 AEs for boys and girls combined. Girls had 7 injuries (3.4 per 1000 AEs) and boys had 22 injuries (8.7 per 1000 AEs). Contusions and lacerations were the most frequent injury (n = 13), and body-to-body contact (n = 10) was the most common injury mechanism. There were 4 concussions among boys (U13 and U15) and none among girls. Most injuries evaluated in youth lacrosse were contusions/lacerations; however, serious injuries were observed, including concussions in boys in the age group where body contact is allowed.

Differences in ACL biomechanical risk factors between field hockey and lacrosse female athletes

Previous investigations have revealed a greater incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in female lacrosse versus field hockey players. Lacrosse is played in an upright posture with overhead throwing and catching, while field hockey is almost exclusively played in a crouched, forward-flexed position. Biomechanical factors, including decreased knee, hip, and trunk flexion angles, have been identified as risk factors for ACL injury. The purpose of this study was to assess ACL biomechanical risk factors in female field hockey and lacrosse players to determine whether sport-specific posture might contribute to the increased incidence of ACL injury observed in lacrosse athletes. Thirty-one Division I NCAA females from field hockey and lacrosse completed four tasks, three times per leg: bilateral drop jump, single-leg drop jump (SDJ), single-leg jump onto a Bosu ball (SDB), and a 45° anticipated cut. Kinematic and force plate data were used to evaluate knee flexion angle, knee adduction moment, hip flexion angle, and trunk flexion and sway angles. Muscle activity of the lateral hamstrings and vastus lateralis was used to estimate peak hamstring activity and the quadriceps/hamstring ratio at the time of peak quadriceps activity (co-contraction ratio). During the SDJ and SDB, peak knee flexion angles were greater in field hockey compared with lacrosse. During cutting, field hockey players were more flexed at the trunk and had greater trunk sway, compared with the lacrosse players. No significant difference was observed for the co-contraction ratio for any of the tasks. Decreased knee flexion angle during landing, consistent with sport-specific playing postures, may contribute to the higher incidence of ACL injury in lacrosse players relative to field hockey. Sport-specific training injury prevention programmes may benefit from considering these differences between specialized athletes. II.

Bone metabolism and bone quality differences between female lacrosse players competing in different leagues

Bone metabolism and bone quality differences between female lacrosse players competing in different leagues

Effectiveness of the Women’s Lacrosse Protective Eyewear Mandate in the Reduction of Eye Injuries

Background: In an effort to minimize the risk of catastrophic eye injury, US Lacrosse initiated mandatory use of protective eyewear in women’s lacrosse in the 2004-2005 season. Purpose: The authors compared eye injury rates in girls’ scholastic lacrosse before and after implementation of protective eyewear. They also compared head/face injury rates, concussion rates, and overall injury rates before and after the rule change to assess possible unintended consequences of the change. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: The study group included female scholastic lacrosse players in the 25 public high schools in Fairfax County, Virginia, during the 2004-2009 spring seasons. Injury rates were compared with those from the same data source for the 2000-2003 seasons. Premandate versus postmandate injury rates were adjusted for athlete exposures, or total opportunities for injury throughout the season. Results: The rate of eye injuries was reduced from 0.10 injuries per 1000 athlete exposures (AEs) in 2000 through 2003 before the use of protective eyewear to 0.016 injuries per 1000 AEs in 2004 through 2009 (incident rate ratio [IRR], 0.16; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.06-0.42). The rate ratio of head/face injuries excluding concussion also decreased (IRR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.26-0.76). There was no change in the rate ratio of total injuries involving all body parts (IRR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.82-1.1) after introduction of protective eyewear. However, the rate ratio of concussion increased (IRR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.1-2.3). Conclusion: The use of protective eyewear in women’s lacrosse was associated with a reduction in the number of eye injuries. The number of head/face injuries decreased in this study group after introduction of protective eyewear, and there was no change in overall injury rates. The reason for the increase in concussion rate cannot be determined conclusively based on this study, but the authors speculate that this increase resulted largely from increased recognition and diagnosis because overall injury rates do not indicate rougher play with introduction of protective equipment.

Common game injury scenarios in men's and women's lacrosse

Previous research has found that the location, type and mechanisms of injuries in lacrosse players vary by gender. The patterns and risk factors of injuries in lacrosse players are still not well known. The study population consists of lacrosse players who utilised the accident medical insurance provided to US Lacrosse members. Cluster analysis was used to explore the aetiology of lacrosse-related injuries. Between 2002 and 2006 there were 593 game injuries, 496 in men and 97 in women. There were six clusters of injuries in women and five clusters of injuries in men. Play scenarios resulting in injury differed by the position played. In all the five injury clusters in males, the primary injury mechanism was by contact, either with another player, a stick or a ball. In women, body-to-body and stick-to-body, and no contact were the most common injury mechanisms. In both genders, the majority of injuries occurred during legal play. These results provide a picture of high-risk situations that lead to injuries in male and female lacrosse players. Future efforts should be made to confirm these results through epidemiologic studies. Further research should also address the effectiveness of interventions that could reduce the risk of injury in these situations.

Modeling the Lacrosse Stick as a Rigid Body Underestimates Shot Ball Speeds

In the last decade, dramatic changes in lacrosse stick design are believed to be associated with changes in the play of the game; however, there is a limited understanding of how the lacrosse stick propels the ball. We predicted that the lacrosse stick would perform as a passive extension of the player's hand and hypothesized that ball shot speed would be equal to the speed at the tip of the stick. Ball and shot kinematics of 16 male and 16 female lacrosse players using four various stick models were tracked at 250 Hz. The speed of the ball was compared with the speed at the tip of the stick, calculated by assuming the stick behaved as a rigid body. Ball shot speeds with men's sticks were on average 3.5 m/s (7.8 mph) faster than the calculated speed at the stick tip, and ball shot speeds with women's sticks were on average 0.7 m/s (1.5 mph) faster than stick tip speed. Some lacrosse stick models can shoot the ball significantly faster than predicted when considering the stick as a rigid, passive extension of the player's hands.

大学女子ラクロス選手の鉄欠乏状態と栄養素等摂取状況

The nutrient intake and iron status of female collegiate lacrosse players were investigated. The subjects were 12 players from one of the top teams in the Kyushu district. Six subjects (the anemia group) were classified into two blood iron levels: five subjects had iron depletion anemia, and one had ex-latent iron depletion. The other six subjects were normal in their iron status (the normal group). The anemia group had a lower iron intake than the normal group. The energy intake for both groups did not reach the estimated energy requirement for activity factor level I, although the protein intake met the estimated protein requirement. We recommend providing nutritional counseling to the players.

The epidemiology of head, face and eye injuries to female lacrosse players in Australia

The aim of this study was to investigate injuries, particularly to the head, face and eye region of female lacrosse players.

Relationship Of Total Energy Intake To Body Mass Index In Collegiate Female Athletes

PURPOSE: To determine the relationship between total energy intake of female collegiate lacrosse players, soccer players, cross-country runners and controls to body mass index (BMI) within the respective athletes competitive season. METHODS: Participants were 27 lacrosse players, 28 soccer players, 14 crosscountry runners and 104 non-athlete controls. Participants completed a five day dietary record for 3 weekdays and 2 weekend days during the competitive season. All participants' self-reported height and weight or data was gathered from their respective coaches. Group mean correlations between total energy intake and BMI were performed using the Pearson Product Moment Correlation procedure. RESULTS: Significant positive relationships were found between total energy intake and BMI in cross country runners (p = 0.0043) and controls (p = 0.025). However, no significant relationships were established between total energy intake and BMI in the lacrosse (p = 0.065) and soccer (p = 0.074) populations. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that BMI may not be related to total energy intake in sports requiring a higher degree of motor skill development and the inclusion of higher intensity training regimens including heavy resistance training. These athletes may be of a different general body type (mesomorphic) and hence may have greater muscle mass leading to higher BMI scores irrespective of total energy intake. These differences may be important to understand when working with a female collegiate athletic population on energy intake recommendations.