Start Date
23-4-2026 12:00 AM
Description
Low energy availability (LEA) is a clinically significant concern in adolescent female athletes due to its impact on growth and development, bone health, hormonal function, performance, recovery, and cognitive outcomes. Despite established associations, a clear longitudinal understanding of how LEA relates to injury and illness rates across an academic year remains limited, representing a clinical gap in athletic training and sports medicine literature. The purpose of this capstone project was to develop a comprehensive Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocol to support a future longitudinal investigation examining LEA and its relationship to injury and illness incidence in high school female athletes. The proposed study utilizes a prospective, observational design including baseline assessments (demographics, health history, LEAF-Q) and weekly injury/illness tracking via a secure online platform. Emphasis was placed on ethical considerations, including recruitment of minors, parental consent, participant assent, and strict data privacy protections. Pending IRB approval, a pilot study will be conducted to evaluate feasibility, participant compliance with weekly reporting, and the effectiveness of data collection procedures. Pilot data will inform methodological refinement, variable tracking, and statistical planning (e.g., injury/illness rate comparisons using Poisson regression), strengthening the overall study design before full-scale implementation. This work has direct clinical application for athletic trainers and healthcare providers by improving early identification of at-risk athletes and informing prevention strategies. Additionally, findings may enhance education for athletes, parents, and coaches, ultimately contributing to safer sport participation and improved long-term health outcomes.
Research Highlights
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The Problem: Low energy availability (LEA) significantly impacts bone health, hormonal function, and recovery in adolescent female athletes, yet longitudinal data linking LEA to injury and illness remains a clinical gap in sports medicine literature.
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The Method: Researchers developed a prospective, observational cohort study protocol to track female athletes aged 13–18 over one academic year using baseline demographics, the Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire (LEAF-Q), and weekly injury and illness monitoring via a secure online platform.
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Finding: The established IRB-guided protocol provides a structured framework for a planned pilot study designed to evaluate participant compliance, refine variables, and validate data collection procedures for future longitudinal investigations.
Recommended Citation
Turner, Kaylee and Rickermann, Abigail, "Longitudinal Fueling Status of High School Female Athletes" (2026). 2026 Student Academic Showcase. 33.
https://digitalcommons.lindenwood.edu/src_2026/Posters/1/33
Included in
Longitudinal Fueling Status of High School Female Athletes
Low energy availability (LEA) is a clinically significant concern in adolescent female athletes due to its impact on growth and development, bone health, hormonal function, performance, recovery, and cognitive outcomes. Despite established associations, a clear longitudinal understanding of how LEA relates to injury and illness rates across an academic year remains limited, representing a clinical gap in athletic training and sports medicine literature. The purpose of this capstone project was to develop a comprehensive Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocol to support a future longitudinal investigation examining LEA and its relationship to injury and illness incidence in high school female athletes. The proposed study utilizes a prospective, observational design including baseline assessments (demographics, health history, LEAF-Q) and weekly injury/illness tracking via a secure online platform. Emphasis was placed on ethical considerations, including recruitment of minors, parental consent, participant assent, and strict data privacy protections. Pending IRB approval, a pilot study will be conducted to evaluate feasibility, participant compliance with weekly reporting, and the effectiveness of data collection procedures. Pilot data will inform methodological refinement, variable tracking, and statistical planning (e.g., injury/illness rate comparisons using Poisson regression), strengthening the overall study design before full-scale implementation. This work has direct clinical application for athletic trainers and healthcare providers by improving early identification of at-risk athletes and informing prevention strategies. Additionally, findings may enhance education for athletes, parents, and coaches, ultimately contributing to safer sport participation and improved long-term health outcomes.