Risk of low energy availability and level of nutrition knowledge in recreational trail runners in Aotearoa/New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Human Nutrition, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
Loading...
Date
2024
DOI
Open Access Location
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Massey University
Rights
The author
Abstract
Introduction: Trail running as an endurance sport is growing in popularity. It is characterised by long event durations and extreme environments that are likely to result in high exercise energy expenditure. Energy availability is defined as the amount of energy available to support normal physiological functions after subtracting the energy cost of exercise from energy intake. Insufficient energy intake, increased exercise, or a combination of both can result in a state of low energy availability (LEA). Research has demonstrated a high prevalence of risk of LEA (~19%-85%) among both elite and recreational athletes, across both sexes and in endurance sports such as running. One possible contributor to LEA risk is poor nutrition knowledge. However, little is known about the risk of LEA and nutrition knowledge in trail runners. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of LEA risk in recreational trail runners and investigate associations with nutrition knowledge. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study of adult trail runners in Aotearoa/New Zealand. The study required the completion of an amalgamated survey consisting of the Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire (LEAF-Q), the Low Energy Availability in Males Questionnaire (LEAM-Q), and the Platform for Evaluating Athlete Knowledge in Sports Nutrition Questionnaire (PEAKS-NQ). Demographics and trail-running experience questions were integrated into the survey. LEAF-Q scores ≥8 were classified as LEA risk, and for LEAM Q, a higher score indicated lower sex drive. Data were analysed in SPSS version 29 (IBM Corporation). Comparisons between groups (e.g. ‘low LEA risk’ vs. ‘LEA risk’) were performed using a chi-square test for categorical variables, and an independent samples t-test for continuous variables. Results are presented as mean ± standard deviation. Results: The final survey sample was 217 (140 females, 42.0 ± 10.7 years; 77 males, 47.9 ± 12.1 years) for the LEAF-Q, LEAM-Q, and trail running questions; and 152 for the PEAKS-NQ. Participants ranged from beginners to very experienced trail runners who regularly participated in short 5-9km events through to ultramarathons. Thirty-one percent of females met the classification for LEA risk. Twenty-three percent of males were identified as having low sex drive, a marker of LEA risk. The LEAF-Q/sex drive score was higher in those with LEA risk (10.7 ± 2.3 / 4.5 ± 2.0) compared to those with low LEA risk (3.9 ± 2.3 / 1.5 ± 1.1, p < .001). Education, body mass index, weekly training hours and level of trail running experience did not differ between trail runners with LEA risk or low LEA risk. However, females with LEA risk were younger (38.0 ± 12.6 vs. 43.6 ± 9.4, P < .05), and more likely to report a weight change in the last six months (75.9% vs. 40.3%, P < 0.5). Males with LEA risk more readily reported a chronic illness (23.5% vs. 6.8%, P < 0.5) or food allergy/intolerance (27.7% vs. 8.6%, P < 0.5). For the general nutrition knowledge questions, 78.6 ± 10.1% for females and 75.8 ± 10.7% for males were answered correctly. However, sports nutrition scores were lower (females, 66.3 ± 13.4%; males, 63.2 ± 15.5%) with the lowest mean scores observed for ‘fuel for during events’ (8.8% correct). There was no difference in nutrition knowledge between individuals classified as low LEA risk vs LEA risk. Conclusion: The findings suggest that recreational trail runners are a group of active individuals who are at risk of LEA and that they might benefit from more sports-specific nutrition education.