Assessing the validity of the LEAF-Q and FAST questionnaires for detecting low energy availability in competitive female netball players
Conference poster
Watson, K., Spiegelhalter, A., Curtis, C., Papadopoulos, K., Hills, F., Turner, A. and Wilson, L. 2025. Assessing the validity of the LEAF-Q and FAST questionnaires for detecting low energy availability in competitive female netball players. 2025 Middlesex University Postgraduate Researchers Summer Conference. Middlesex University London, UK 17 - 18 Jun 2025
| Type | Conference poster |
|---|---|
| Title | Assessing the validity of the LEAF-Q and FAST questionnaires for detecting low energy availability in competitive female netball players |
| Authors | Watson, K., Spiegelhalter, A., Curtis, C., Papadopoulos, K., Hills, F., Turner, A. and Wilson, L. |
| Contributors | |
| Contact person | Paice, K. |
| Abstract | Low energy availability (LEA) occurs when there is insufficient energy to support normal physiological function (Wasserfurth et al., 2020). This occurs when energy intake is lower than energy expenditure relative to fat free mass; typically, an energy balance of <45 kcal/kg FFM/day is considered LEA (Holtzman & Ackerman, 2021). If left undiagnosed, LEA can result in severe performance decrements, and ultimately health issues, including low bone mineral density, menstrual and endocrine dysfunction and eating disorders. It is highly prevalent in female athlete cohorts; the rate of LEA in female football players is 36% (Dasa et al., 2023). Risk of LEA may also be high in sports such as Netball, due to the high percentage of female players, significant body image expectations, social and coach pressures on maintaining leanness, and revealing kit. Due to the complex and global range of resultant symptoms, LEA is very difficult to identify accurately, and a gold-standard diagnostic criterion is yet to be established. Many methods, such as Dual energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) scanning and blood analysis are costly and impractical for most athletic cohorts. Questionnaires may provide a more accessible method of identifying at-risk athletes, but the validity of such approaches has yet to be elucidated, especially within team sports. This study aims to determine the validity of two established questionnaires; Low Energy Availability in Females questionnaire (LEAF-Q) and the Female Athlete Screening Tool (FAST), for determining LEA in competitive female netball players. Early identification of LEA may sustain long-term performance in netball. Female players (aged 18-44 years) who compete in netball leagues, volunteered to participate in this study, which received institutional ethical approval. Participants completed the FAST and LEAF-Q questionnaires, as well as the Nutrition in Sport Knowledge Questionnaire. All participants completed DEXA scans and resting metabolic rate tests. Blood analysis was also completed for triiodothyronine, insulin growth factor and marker of glucose availability, HBA1C. Participants will be split into two groups (low- and high-risk) for LEAF-Q and three groups (low-, subclinical- and clinical-risk) for FAST. A T-test or ANOVA will be used respectively, to compare each variable between groups. Data collection is ongoing. |
| Sustainable Development Goals | 3 Good health and well-being |
| Middlesex University Theme | Health & Wellbeing |
| Conference | 2025 Middlesex University Postgraduate Researchers Summer Conference |
| Publication process dates | |
| Completed | 17 Jun 2025 |
| Deposited | 29 Jul 2025 |
| Output status | Published |
https://repository.mdx.ac.uk/item/26y16z
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