Low Energy Availability, Menstrual Irregularity, and Low Bone Mass

USDA, Western Human Nutrition Research Center

Status: Completed

Conditions: Energy Availability; Bone Density

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other; Other U.S. Federal agency

Identifiers

NCT01059968

200816305-1

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study examines the role of energy availability on menstrual function and bone mass in female adolescent endurance athletes. Specific evaluations include dietary intake, exercise energy expenditure, training schedules, menstrual function and bone density.

Full description

The purpose of this project is to examine the relationships among low energy availability, H-P-A axis, menstrual function and bone density and bone turnover in high school female cross country runners. Our objectives are to: 1)determine energy intake, exercise energy expenditure, and fat-free mass to examine energy availability; 2)in a subset of runners, using double labelled water, estimate total energy expenditure and indirect calorimetry to estimate resting metabolic rate; 3)assess the relationship between energy availability, hormones that regulate bone turnover, markers of bone formation and resorption and bone mineral content and density; 4)identify the relationship between energy availability, hormones that regulate menstrual function and current menstrual status; and 5)determine the energy intake and energy expenditure variables exhibiting the strongest associations with energy availability.

Enrollment: 45 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 15 to 17 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• high school female cross country runners
• ages 15-17 years
• 1-5 years experience as cross country runner
• 25 miles or more/week training

Exclusion criteria

• medications known to affect bone metabolism
• pregnancy

Trial design

45 participants in 1 patient group

adolescent female endurance athletes

Description:

High school female cross country runners in San Diego.