Abstract:
Low Energy Availability (LEA) (with or without disordered eating) and Menstrual
Dysfunction (MD) is the special component of sports. Energy imbalance is the
primary cause that could occur in highly active athletes. This study aims to identify
the impacts of low energy availability and menstrual dysfunction in the Sri Lanka
National Women Kho-Kho team. A cross-sectional descriptive research design was
used in this study. A total of 15 national female Kho-Kho players aged 26.80 ± 5.20
years, weight 55.38 ± 9.27 kg, height 166.6 ± 4.61 cm, body fat 25.3 ± 0.29kg, and
BMI 19.96 ± 3.88 voluntary participated in the study. Energy intake was measured
using 3 days dietary recall, and 3 days physical activity log was used to measure
the physical activity energy expenditure. Eating Disorders (ED) were assessed
using EDE-Q, and menstrual dysfunction was assessed using the LEAF-Q
questionnaire. The data were analyzed by using the SPSS software Kruskal Wallis
test. According to the results, LEA was highly prevalent among the athletes (87%).
ED was highly related to the shape concern (33.3%) and weight concern (26.6%)
among athletes. MD percentage of the Kho-Kho team was reported as 13.33%.
Further, these athletes were reported primary amenorrhea (20%), secondary
amenorrhea (6.6%), oligomenorrhea (13.3%), and menorrhagia (26.66%).
Therefore, MD was prevalent among Sri Lankan Kho-Kho athletes at a level that
should be paid attention especially LEA athletes. Further remedies should be
taken to prevent the risk factors of LEA and MD and regular inspection should be
performed on the risk factors to enhance their overall health.
