Prevalence of amenorrhea in elite female competitive climbers

Joubert, L.; Warme, Amity; Larson, Abigail; Grønhaug, Gudmund; Michael, Marisa; Schöffl, Volker; Burtscher, Eugen; Meyer, Nanna L.

doi:10.3389/fspor.2022.895588

Cited by 10 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…In our cohort of patients, BMI was at the inferior limit of normal range for both groups of patients, and it was not linked to cycle irregularities. Even if BMI has been related to reproductive health 19 , its role in menstrual cycle dysfunctions is under debate 20 and this relationship about athletes is conflicting 21 22 23 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association between Physical Activity and Menstrual Cycle Disorders in Young Athletes

Passoni,

Inzoli,

De Ponti

et al. 2024

Int J Sports Med

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Our study aims at evaluating clinical predictors of menstrual cycle disorders in female athletes who compete in running disciplines. This is a prospective observational study. Women were recruited between January and May 2022. 53 patients were enrolled and completed a questionnaire about menstrual cycle, physical activity and food habits characteristics. 39,6% of women in our population had menstrual irregularities and reported a significantly higher number of kilometres run per week (67 vs 35, p:0.02). The number of kilometres run per week was associated with menstrual irregularities (for 10 km, OR 1,35; IC95% 1,05-1,73; p: 0,02) after adjusting for BMI, age, level of sport and caloric intake. The variable of “km run per week” appeared as a diagnostic indicator of irregular menstrual cycle with statistical significance (AUC ROC curve 0,71, IC95% 0,54-0,86, p-value = 0,01) and the cut off-of 65 km run per week is a good indicator of the presence of irregular menstrual cycle (sensitivity (SE) and specificity (SP) of 55% and 81,48%). Menstrual cycle disorders are very frequent in female athletes and the variable of km run per week may have a role in screening endurance athletes at high risk for them.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association between Physical Activity and Menstrual Cycle Disorders in Young Athletes

Passoni,

Inzoli,

De Ponti

et al. 2024

Int J Sports Med

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“…These two studies show mixed results regarding whether climbing level leads to significantly different levels of energy availability. Related research among elite sport climbers reveals low energy availability (LEA) ( 3 ) and moderating factors like disordered eating are prevalent ( 4 ), which are associated with a higher prevalence of outcomes like amenorrhea and injury ( 5 , 6 ). Low EA can exist with or without moderating factors like eating disorders or disordered eating ( 7 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social media behaviors and body type ideals predict weight loss and food tracking behaviors among recreational climbers

Slagel,

Kage,

Wichern

2024

Front. Sports Act. Living

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IntroductionElite and recreational climbers may be at risk for disordered eating, low energy availability (LEA), and increased injury as a result. Social media use among athlete and non-athletes can lead to body image disturbances resulting in unhealthy weight loss practices exacerbating LEA and injury risk. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine relationships between social comparative behaviors on social media, body type ideals and outcomes, and health behaviors among adult recreational climbers.MethodsParticipants (n = 324) were adult recreational climbers from the U.S. (29.30 ± 9.99 years old and 50% female). Participants answered a 66-item questionnaire comprised of demographics, climbing characteristics, social media behaviors, body type ideals, training and nutrition-seeking behaviors, and weight and food tracking behaviors.ResultsMost participants (78.7%) indicated strength-to-weight ratio was important for climbing performance. Many participants perceived they could perform better at rock climbing if their body proportions were different (59.3%). These body type ideals were found to be significant predictors of performing weight loss and food-tracking behaviors (all p < 0.001). Higher amounts of social comparative behaviors on social media and social physique anxiety independently and significantly predicted attempting weight loss to improve climbing ability (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001 respectively). Those who followed climbing influencers, used Instagram frequently for training and nutrition information, perceived they could perform better at rock climbing if their body proportions were different, or were female and college-aged had significantly higher mean social comparative behavior scores (all p < 0.01).DiscussionThis study expands on prior work with elite climbers by providing a possible explanation for how climbing-related body type ideals and certain social media behaviors can perpetuate negative body image and compensatory behaviors among a general climbing population. Because unhealthy weight management behaviors can lead to injury and health disturbances, broad education programming and social media campaigns should be developed to shift body ideals and nutrition behaviors among recreational climbers.

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“…As well as decreasing bone formation, it has also been seen to induce a higher increase bone resorption in women compared with men 14. A recent study by Joubert et al 15 examined 114 female rock climbers competing at the World Cup level and found that 15.8% presented with current amenorrhoea. Additionally, among these rock climbers with amenorrhoea, a larger per cent revealed having struggled with DE compared with those without menstrual disturbances (13.5% vs 22.5%, respectively).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Protocol for a 2-year longitudinal study of eating disturbances, mental health problems and overuse injuries in rock climbers (CLIMB)

Edlund,

Nigicser,

Sansone

et al. 2023

BMJ Open

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IntroductionRock climbing is a rapidly growing sport in which performance may be affected by participant’s weight and leanness, and there may be pressure on athletes with respect to their eating behaviour and body weight. However, there is sparse research performed on climbers, constituting a knowledge gap which the present study aims to fill. The primary outcomes of the study are to examine disordered eating and overuse injuries in rock climbers. Secondary variables are body image, indicators of relative energy deficiency, mental health problems, compulsive training, perfectionism, sleep quality and bone density.Method and analysisThis prospective longitudinal study aims to recruit Swedish competitive rock climbers (>13 years) via the Swedish Climbing Federation. A non-athlete control group will be recruited via social media (n=equal of the climbing group). Data will be collected using streamlined validated web-based questionnaires with three follow-ups over 2 years. Inclusion criteria for rock climbers will be a minimum advanced level according to International Rock-Climbing Research Association. The non-athlete control group is matched for age and gender. Exclusion criteria are having competed at an elite level in any sport as well as training more often than twice per week. Statistical analyses will include multinominal logistic regression, multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and structural equation modelling (SEM). We will assess effect measure modification when relevant and conduct sensitivity analyses to assess the impact of lost to follow-up.Ethics and disseminationThe Rock-Climbers’ Longitudinal attitudes towards Injuries, Mental health and Body image study, CLIMB, was approved by the Swedish ethics authority (2021-05557-01). Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed research papers, reports, research conferences, student theses and stakeholder communications.Trial registration numberNCT05587270.

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Prevalence of amenorrhea in elite female competitive climbers

Cited by 10 publications

References 38 publications

Association between Physical Activity and Menstrual Cycle Disorders in Young Athletes

Association between Physical Activity and Menstrual Cycle Disorders in Young Athletes

Social media behaviors and body type ideals predict weight loss and food tracking behaviors among recreational climbers

Protocol for a 2-year longitudinal study of eating disturbances, mental health problems and overuse injuries in rock climbers (CLIMB)

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