Mental Health and Symptoms of Energy Deficiency (REDs) in Young Biathletes

NCT06487260 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 733966
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 28
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

Participation in weight-sensitive sports has been identified as a significant risk factor for low energy availability (LEA), relative energy deficiency in sport (REDs), and eating disorders. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the symptoms of LEA, REDs, and mental health issues in young biathletes. This study investigates the prevalence of these symptoms in young, talented biathletes from one of the leading nations in the sport. By including athletes of both sexes aged 16, 17, and 18, this study aim to determine whether symptom severity is associated with age, sex, or performance level. Furthermore, this study will explore the experiences of biathletes aged 18 and older with the new best practice guidelines for body composition assessment, designed by an IOC working group on the REDs consensus update of 2023 to safeguard athletes from negative experiences. The insights gained from this study may enhance the understanding of the frequency of health symptoms, the age or performance level at which symptoms typically increase, and the specific needs of athletes to ensure their safety and well-being in the sport.

Conditions

Mental Health Issue; Physical Health

Keywords

biathlon; biathletes; nordic skiing; REDs; LEA; Mental health; IBU; DXA; Eating Disorders; Blood work

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (6)

• Diagnosis of Eating Disorder

  Number of athletes with a diagnosable eating disorder, and type of eating disorder. Evaulation will be by a clinical interview following the validated Eating Disorder Examination Inverview.

  September 2024

• Symptom of Eating Disorders

  Number of athletes with symptoms of eating disorders, and type of eating disorder. Evaulation will be by a selfreport responding to the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire.

  September 2024

• Symptoms of Depression

  Severity in symptoms of depression and number of athletes with symptoms of depression. Evaulation will be by selfreport, responding to the Beck Depression Inventory v-2

  September 2024

• Symptoms of Low Energy Availability (LEA)

  Severity in symptoms of LEA, evaluated by selfreport, responding to the Low Energy Availability for Females Questionnaire, and Low Energy Availiability for males Questionnaire.

  September 2024

• Body composition

  Body composition (fat mass and lean body mass) measured by DXA, as part of the evaluation of fitness in biathletes 18 years or older

  September 2024

• Bone mineral Density

  Bone mineral density in biathletes 18 years or older, as a fitness evaluation and symptom of LEA

  September 2024

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Blood work, energy metabolism

  September 2024

• Blood pressure, orthostatic

  September 2024

• Blood pressure, resting

  September 2024

• Resting heart rate

  September 2024

• Indirect calorimetry

  September 2024

Other Outcomes (6)

• Body appreciation

  September 2024

• Blood work, iron status

  September 2024

• Blood work, cholesterol

  September 2024

Study Arms (3)

Biathletes 16 years of age

Norwegian, competetive biathletes of both sexes, aged 16 years of age

Biathletes 17 years of age

Norwegian, competetive biathletes of both sexes, aged 17 years of age

Biathlete 18 years of age

Norwegian, competetive biathletes of both sexes, aged 18 years of age

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 16 Years - 20 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Young, competetive biathletes in age-range 16-20 years of age, living in Norway.

You may qualify if:

• competetive biathlete
• live in Norway, speaks or understand written and oral Norwegian

You may not qualify if:

• injured and prevented from regular training (3 months leading up to recruitement)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ostfold University College: lead
• Norwegian School of Sport Sciences: collaborator
• Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences: collaborator
• International Biathlon Union: collaborator

Study Sites (2)

Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences

Lillehammer, Inland, 2418, Norway

Location

Norwegian School of Sport Sciences

Oslo, 0806, Norway

Location

Biospecimen

Retention: SAMPLES WITHOUT DNA

Serum blood sample

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Psychological Well-Being; Feeding and Eating Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Personal Satisfaction; Behavior; Signs and Symptoms, Digestive; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• Therese F Mathisen, PhD

  Associate Professor

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE ONLY
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Target Duration: 1 Day
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 27, 2024
• First Posted: July 5, 2024
• Study Start: August 21, 2024
• Primary Completion: December 10, 2024
• Study Completion: December 10, 2024
• Last Updated: September 12, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Time Frame: Available after 31.12.2025
• Access Criteria: Any researcher that contacts the project group with a reasonable request (e.g. need of data for review, metaanalyses etc)

Locations

NO (2)