Department of Sport and Early Childhood Studies, Technological University of the Shannon, Limerick, Ireland.
ACTIVE Research Group, Technological University of the Shannon, Limerick, Ireland.
Eur J Nutr. 2023 Jun;62(4):1809-1820. doi: 10.1007/s00394-023-03112-0. Epub 2023 Feb 26.
Evidence suggests low energy availability (LEA) is prevalent in elite male Gaelic football (GF) players. Previous research in male and female team sports found LEA may negatively impact endocrine function. The aim of this study was to examine the seasonal variations in energy availability (EA) and its associations with salivary measures in elite male GF players across the competitive season.
Energy availability was assessed using field-based methods in conjunction with salivary testosterone (s-T), cortisol (s-C) and immunoglobin A (s-IgA) concentrations at pre-season (PRE), in-season (IN) and post-season (POST).
38% reported LEA at PRE, 33% at IN, and 28.5% at POST. s-C, s-T and s-IgA levels were within normal ranges at PRE, IN and POST. Salivary cortisol declined significantly from PRE to IN, remaining reduced at POST. Salivary testosterone decreased significantly from PRE to IN but was significantly elevated at POST compared to IN. Salivary IgA was significantly greater at POST than IN. No significant associations were found between s-C or s-T and EA at any time point. Pre-season s-IgA exhibited a significant inverse association with PRE EA. Decreased s-IgA flow rate and s-IgA secretion rate were significantly associated with decreased EA at PRE. Reduced carbohydrate (CHO) intake was also associated with decreased s-IgA secretion rate at PRE.
This study suggests that LEA is prevalent in elite male GF players, but is not associated with s-C or s-T. However, EA is associated with s-IgA which may impact the immune system. Therefore, education and interventions surrounding the prevalence and associations of EA should be implemented in this population.
有证据表明，精英男子盖尔式足球（GF）运动员中普遍存在低能量状态（LEA）。之前在男性和女性团队运动中的研究发现，LEA 可能会对内分泌功能产生负面影响。本研究旨在检查精英男性 GF 运动员在整个比赛赛季中能量状态（EA）的季节性变化及其与唾液指标的关系。
使用现场方法结合唾液睾酮（s-T）、皮质醇（s-C）和免疫球蛋白 A（s-IgA）浓度，在赛季前（PRE）、赛季中（IN）和赛季后（POST）评估能量状态。
38%的人在 PRE 时报告 LEA，33%的人在 IN 时报告 LEA，28.5%的人在 POST 时报告 LEA。s-C、s-T 和 s-IgA 水平在 PRE、IN 和 POST 时均处于正常范围内。唾液皮质醇从 PRE 到 IN 显著下降，在 POST 时仍保持降低。唾液睾酮从 PRE 到 IN 显著下降，但与 IN 相比，POST 时显著升高。POST 时的唾液 IgA 明显高于 IN。在任何时间点，s-C 或 s-T 与 EA 之间均无显著相关性。PRE 时的 s-IgA 与 PRE EA 呈显著负相关。PRE 时唾液 IgA 流量和唾液 IgA 分泌率降低与 EA 降低显著相关。减少碳水化合物（CHO）摄入也与 PRE 时唾液 IgA 分泌率降低相关。
本研究表明，LEA 在精英男性 GF 运动员中很常见，但与 s-C 或 s-T 无关。然而，EA 与 s-IgA 相关，可能会影响免疫系统。因此，应在该人群中实施关于 EA 的流行率和相关性的教育和干预措施。
