Date of Award
Winter 12-4-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Kinesiology (PhD)
Department
Kinesiology
Abstract
Becoming a collegiate athlete requires physical, mental, and emotional preparation through sport-specific training and nutritional strategies, which are critical for peak performance. However, many female athletes, particularly those in weight-sensitive sports, struggle to meet energy needs, increasing the risk of low energy availability (LEA) and relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S). This study examined RED-S risk and its etiological factors among female collegiate wrestlers at two time points: preseason and in-season. Fifteen female collegiate wrestlers from a local university completed self-reported questionnaires and anthropometric assessments during both phases. The Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire (LEAF-Q) assessed physiological symptoms of RED-S, the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) assessed psychosocial risk factors, and body composition and energy expenditure estimates were obtained using validated methods. RED-S risk classifications were determined using the IOC RED-S clinical assessment tool (CAT2) indicators. The results showed that body weight and BMI decreased significantly from preseason to in-season (both p < .001). In contrast, LEAF-Q total showed no pre–post change (Wilcoxon W = 47.00, p = .724) and EDE-Q Global was also nonsignificant. For etiological domains (EDE-Q Restraint, Eating Concern, Shape Concern, Weight Concern) and weekly training hours, no phase differences were detected after Bonferroni correction (α = .010; all p > .010). Descriptively, 14/15 athletes (93%) met an “at-risk” threshold at both time points, and the overall proportion appeared unchanged. Exploratory weight-tertile analyses indicated Time effects for anthropometrics and limited Group/interaction signals but were underpowered and interpreted cautiously.