Description of the menstrual cycle status, energy availability, eating behavior and physical performance in a youth female soccer team

Abstract The aim of the study was to describe the menstrual status and perception, risk of low energy availability (LEA) and the presence of orthorexia nervosa (ON) in youth female from a soccer team. Also, verify the possible effect of LEA and ON on physical performance. Data from 19 female players...

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Main Authors: Ana Carolina Paludo, Marta Gimunová, Marcos Michaelides, Magdalena Kobus, Koulla Parpa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2023-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-37967-4
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author Ana Carolina Paludo
Marta Gimunová
Marcos Michaelides
Magdalena Kobus
Koulla Parpa
author_facet Ana Carolina Paludo
Marta Gimunová
Marcos Michaelides
Magdalena Kobus
Koulla Parpa
author_sort Ana Carolina Paludo
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The aim of the study was to describe the menstrual status and perception, risk of low energy availability (LEA) and the presence of orthorexia nervosa (ON) in youth female from a soccer team. Also, verify the possible effect of LEA and ON on physical performance. Data from 19 female players (14.6 ± 1.42 yr) belonging to a soccer team from Cyprus was taken during pre-season. The menstrual cycle status was evaluated by specific questions, LEA by the Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire (LEAF-Q), ON by the ORTO-R questionnaire and physical performance by jump, handgrip and cardiorespiratory exercise tests. Players were separated into the risk of LEA and ON. Comparison and correlation tests were performed with a significance set at p < 0.05. As the main results, 66.7% of players perceived that the menstrual period affects their performance in the game, 83.3% did not communicate with coaches about their menstrual cycle; the prevalence of risk of LEA was 26.3%; players with risk of LEA also presented higher scores ON; neither LEA nor ON presented a significant association with players performance. The findings highlighted that youth players perceived an impact of the menstrual period on performance, but did not communicate with the coach about it. Players with the risk of LEA and high values of ON seem not to be associated with a decrease in physical performance during the pre-season evaluation. Attention is required as the players were assessed once. Monitoring these parameters throughout the sports season is recommended to obtain better clarification about the topic.
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spelling doaj.art-ed44cd055fa54243ab082de6e7bb8f182023-07-16T11:17:18ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222023-07-011311710.1038/s41598-023-37967-4Description of the menstrual cycle status, energy availability, eating behavior and physical performance in a youth female soccer teamAna Carolina Paludo0Marta Gimunová1Marcos Michaelides2Magdalena Kobus3Koulla Parpa4Incubator of Kinanthropology Research, Faculty of Sports Studies, Masaryk UniversityDepartment of Physical Activities and Health Science, Faculty of Sports Studies, Masaryk UniversityFaculty of Sports and Exercise Science, UCLan University of CyprusDepartment of Anthropology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of LodzFaculty of Sports and Exercise Science, UCLan University of CyprusAbstract The aim of the study was to describe the menstrual status and perception, risk of low energy availability (LEA) and the presence of orthorexia nervosa (ON) in youth female from a soccer team. Also, verify the possible effect of LEA and ON on physical performance. Data from 19 female players (14.6 ± 1.42 yr) belonging to a soccer team from Cyprus was taken during pre-season. The menstrual cycle status was evaluated by specific questions, LEA by the Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire (LEAF-Q), ON by the ORTO-R questionnaire and physical performance by jump, handgrip and cardiorespiratory exercise tests. Players were separated into the risk of LEA and ON. Comparison and correlation tests were performed with a significance set at p < 0.05. As the main results, 66.7% of players perceived that the menstrual period affects their performance in the game, 83.3% did not communicate with coaches about their menstrual cycle; the prevalence of risk of LEA was 26.3%; players with risk of LEA also presented higher scores ON; neither LEA nor ON presented a significant association with players performance. The findings highlighted that youth players perceived an impact of the menstrual period on performance, but did not communicate with the coach about it. Players with the risk of LEA and high values of ON seem not to be associated with a decrease in physical performance during the pre-season evaluation. Attention is required as the players were assessed once. Monitoring these parameters throughout the sports season is recommended to obtain better clarification about the topic.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-37967-4
spellingShingle Ana Carolina Paludo
Marta Gimunová
Marcos Michaelides
Magdalena Kobus
Koulla Parpa
Description of the menstrual cycle status, energy availability, eating behavior and physical performance in a youth female soccer team
Scientific Reports
title Description of the menstrual cycle status, energy availability, eating behavior and physical performance in a youth female soccer team
title_full Description of the menstrual cycle status, energy availability, eating behavior and physical performance in a youth female soccer team
title_fullStr Description of the menstrual cycle status, energy availability, eating behavior and physical performance in a youth female soccer team
title_full_unstemmed Description of the menstrual cycle status, energy availability, eating behavior and physical performance in a youth female soccer team
title_short Description of the menstrual cycle status, energy availability, eating behavior and physical performance in a youth female soccer team
title_sort description of the menstrual cycle status energy availability eating behavior and physical performance in a youth female soccer team
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-37967-4
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