Abstract
Bone mineral density (BMD) is a critical indicator of skeletal health and long-term injury risk in athletic populations. Female athletes are susceptible to changes in BMD due to sport-specific training demands, hormonal dysregulation, and energy availability. PURPOSE: The present study aimed to compare BMD between physique focused (PF) and non-physique focused (NPF) female collegiate athletes and assess the prevalence of various risk factors associated with Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) across both groups. METHODS: Thirty-three female athletes were evaluated for BMD via Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA), REDs risk using the CAT2, and anthropometric measurements, blood biomarkers, the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q), and the Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire (LEAF-Q). RESULTS: PF athletes demonstrated significantly lower DXA-derived z-scores (BMD (g/cm2) at AP spine, dual femur, and total body sites than NPF athletes (p <0.001). PF athletes were shorter in stature and had significantly lower total body mass (kg) and lean body mass (kg) than NPF athletes (p=0.01). There were no differences in leptin (p=0.35), cortisol (p=0.16), vitamin D (p=0.29), LEAF-Q total score (p=0.72), or global EDE-Q score (p= 0.10). CONCLUSIONS: Lower BMD in PF athletes demonstrates the importance of early screening and targeted interventions to support bone health.
Recommended Citation
Kolb, Diana E.; Cipriano, Nicole L.; Moody, Ross A.; Stephens, Jason A.; Lindley, Martin R.; Ware, Megan E.; Caldwell, Lydia K.; and Deemer, Sarah
(2026)
"Bone Mineral Density in Physique- Focused and Non-Physique Focused Female Collegiate Athletes: Associations with REDs Risk Factors,"
International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 2:
Iss.
18, Article 14.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol2/iss18/14