Actively Recruiting

Age: 18Years - 35Years
FEMALE
Healthy Volunteers
ID06615388

Low Energy Availability and Cardiovascular Disease in Trained to Elite Female Athletes

Led by Liverpool Hope University · Updated on 2024-09-26

126

Participants Needed

1

Research Sites

8 weeks

Total Duration

On this page

Sponsors

L

Liverpool Hope University

Lead Sponsor

O

Oxford Brookes University

Collaborating Sponsor

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating the effects of low energy availability (LEA) on cardiovascular health in trained to elite female athletes aged 18 to 35. LEA occurs when the body does not have enough energy to support essential functions, which can negatively impact physical and psychological health as well as sports performance. This study aims to address current research limitations by examining the relationship between LEA, cardiovascular disease markers, and DNA methylation, an epigenetic factor linked to heart disease. The study involves 126 female athletes from local sports clubs who will visit a laboratory once for data collection. During this visit, researchers will gather demographic, anthropometric, and genetic data, perform detailed blood tests assessing hormones and cardiovascular markers, and conduct heart and blood vessel health assessments using methods like pulse wave velocity and electrocardiograms. Participants will also complete nutritional and physical activity assessments, eating behavior and mood questionnaires, and energy availability evaluations. Prior to testing, participants will monitor their menstrual cycles for two months using tracking apps and ovulation tests to ensure hormonal measurements occur during a consistent menstrual phase. Participants will contribute data on cardiovascular risk factors and DNA methylation patterns, with analyses incorporating machine learning to identify novel patterns in lipid and metabolite profiles. The primary outcome is to measure cardiovascular risk factors associated with LEA, while secondary outcomes include examining DNA methylation characteristics. The study includes careful scheduling and monitoring to minimize hormonal variability, and participation involves a single laboratory visit supplemented by home-based menstrual monitoring over two months.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

Low Energy Availability and Cardiovascular Disease

Who Can Participate

Age: 18Years - 35Years
FEMALE
Healthy Volunteers

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible

You may qualify if you...

  • Cisgender females
  • Aged 18 to 35 years
  • Trained to elite female athletes based on participation classification
  • Living in the United Kingdom
Not Eligible

You will not qualify if you...

  • Biological males
  • Females over 35 years old
  • Sedentary females
  • Habitual smokers
  • History of syncope
  • Diagnosis of ischaemic heart disease, myopathy, or neuromuscular disorder
  • Use of anticoagulants
  • Pregnant women
  • Taking lipid-lowering medication
  • Using hormonal contraception except copper IUDs

AI-Screening

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Your Study Journey

Screening

Duration - 2 to 4 weeks

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.

1 visit (in-person) for eligibility confirmation and informed consent

Menstrual Cycle Monitoring

Duration - 2 months

Participants track their menstrual cycles at home using a tracking app and ovulation test kits to determine specific cycle phases for scheduling assessments.

Daily tracking at home; ovulation test kits provided

Diagnostic Evaluation

Duration - 1 day

Participants attend a single laboratory visit where multiple assessments are conducted including demographic, anthropometric, genetic, blood, cardiovascular, nutritional, physical activity, eating behavior, energy availability, menstrual health, and metabolic rate evaluations.

1 visit (in-person) at the research laboratory

Trial Site Locations

Total: 1 location

1

Liverpool Hope University

Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom, L16 9JD

Actively Recruiting

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How is the study designed?

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Masking

N/A

Allocation

N/A

Model

N/A

Primary Purpose

N/A

Number of Arms

1

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Published Research Related To This Trial

Reasons for and Consequences of Low Energy Availability in Female and Male Athletes: Social Environment, Adaptations, and Prevention.

Paulina Wasserfurth, Jana Palmowski, Andreas Hahn...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32910256

International Olympic Committee (IOC) Consensus Statement on Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S): 2018 Update.

Margo Mountjoy, Jorunn Sundgot-Borgen, Louise Burke...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29771168

Methodological Considerations for Studies in Sport and Exercise Science with Women as Participants: A Working Guide for Standards of Practice for Research on Women.

Kirsty J Elliott-Sale, Clare L Minahan, Xanne A K Janse de Jonge...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33725341

2014 Female Athlete Triad Coalition Consensus Statement on Treatment and Return to Play of the Female Athlete Triad: 1st International Conference held in San Francisco, California, May 2012 and 2nd International Conference held in Indianapolis, Indiana, May 2013.

Mary Jane De Souza, Aurelia Nattiv, Elizabeth Joy...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24463911