Indicators and correlates of low energy availability in male and female dancers
Objectives To investigate indicators and correlates of low energy availability (LEA) in male and female dancers.Methods A Dance-Specific Energy Availability Questionnaire (DEAQ) was developed and administered online internationally to dancers training at preprofessional, professional or advanced ama...
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BMJ Publishing Group
2020-12-01
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| Series: | BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine |
| Online Access: | https://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/6/1/e000906.full |
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| author | Nicola Keay Gavin Francis AusDancers Overseas |
| author_facet | Nicola Keay Gavin Francis AusDancers Overseas |
| author_sort | Nicola Keay |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objectives To investigate indicators and correlates of low energy availability (LEA) in male and female dancers.Methods A Dance-Specific Energy Availability Questionnaire (DEAQ) was developed and administered online internationally to dancers training at preprofessional, professional or advanced amateur level. The DEAQ drew on current validated, published questionnaires for LEA, linked to the clinical outcomes of relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S). Questions addressed recognised physiological indicators and consequences of LEA in the context of dance, together with potential correlates. LEA was quantified using a scoring system to include these characteristics.Results 247 responses to the DEAQ were analysed (225 female and 22 male), mean age 20.7 years (SD 7.9) with 85% practising ballet. Psychological, physiological and physical characteristics consistent with LEA were reported by 57% of the female dancers and 29% of male dancers, indicating a risk of RED-S. The unique nature of dance training, in terms of demands and environment, was found to be potentially influential in development of this situation. Less than one-third (29%) of dancers were aware of RED-S.Conclusion This study found dancers to be a specific group of high-level artistic performers displaying indicators of LEA and consequently at risk of developing the adverse clinical health and performance consequences of RED-S. Awareness of RED-S was low. The DEAQ has the potential to raise awareness and be a practical, objective screening tool to identify dancers in LEA, at risk of developing RED-S. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-eac2733d0c9045bda40bd905cff278c5 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2055-7647 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2020-12-01 |
| publisher | BMJ Publishing Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine |
| spelling | doaj-art-eac2733d0c9045bda40bd905cff278c52025-08-20T01:47:37ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine2055-76472020-12-016110.1136/bmjsem-2020-000906Indicators and correlates of low energy availability in male and female dancersNicola Keay0Gavin Francis1AusDancers Overseas2Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Durham University, Durham, UKScience4Performance, London, UKAusDancersOverseas, Merzhausen, GermanyObjectives To investigate indicators and correlates of low energy availability (LEA) in male and female dancers.Methods A Dance-Specific Energy Availability Questionnaire (DEAQ) was developed and administered online internationally to dancers training at preprofessional, professional or advanced amateur level. The DEAQ drew on current validated, published questionnaires for LEA, linked to the clinical outcomes of relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S). Questions addressed recognised physiological indicators and consequences of LEA in the context of dance, together with potential correlates. LEA was quantified using a scoring system to include these characteristics.Results 247 responses to the DEAQ were analysed (225 female and 22 male), mean age 20.7 years (SD 7.9) with 85% practising ballet. Psychological, physiological and physical characteristics consistent with LEA were reported by 57% of the female dancers and 29% of male dancers, indicating a risk of RED-S. The unique nature of dance training, in terms of demands and environment, was found to be potentially influential in development of this situation. Less than one-third (29%) of dancers were aware of RED-S.Conclusion This study found dancers to be a specific group of high-level artistic performers displaying indicators of LEA and consequently at risk of developing the adverse clinical health and performance consequences of RED-S. Awareness of RED-S was low. The DEAQ has the potential to raise awareness and be a practical, objective screening tool to identify dancers in LEA, at risk of developing RED-S.https://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/6/1/e000906.full |
| spellingShingle | Nicola Keay Gavin Francis AusDancers Overseas Indicators and correlates of low energy availability in male and female dancers BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine |
| title | Indicators and correlates of low energy availability in male and female dancers |
| title_full | Indicators and correlates of low energy availability in male and female dancers |
| title_fullStr | Indicators and correlates of low energy availability in male and female dancers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Indicators and correlates of low energy availability in male and female dancers |
| title_short | Indicators and correlates of low energy availability in male and female dancers |
| title_sort | indicators and correlates of low energy availability in male and female dancers |
| url | https://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/6/1/e000906.full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT nicolakeay indicatorsandcorrelatesoflowenergyavailabilityinmaleandfemaledancers AT gavinfrancis indicatorsandcorrelatesoflowenergyavailabilityinmaleandfemaledancers AT ausdancersoverseas indicatorsandcorrelatesoflowenergyavailabilityinmaleandfemaledancers |