Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport and Dance

Annual whole body scan monitoring bone mineral density for whole body, radius, L1-4 and femur and body composition

Three times a year blood samples will be taken to measure: full blood count, ferritin, B12, folate, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), renal function, liver function, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), Free thyroxine (T4), luteinizing hormone (LH), oestradiol, testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), coeliac screen, vitamin D (25(OH)D), Leptin and Ghrelin

Informed consent; Low energy availability questionnaires for males and females; General health including menstrual status (females)

Three times a year participant's measurements will be taken: stature, body mass and body composition (bio-impedence)

Resting metabolic rate will be measured by resting gas analysis. Each participant will lie down for a period of 15 minutes, in the final 5 minutes their expired gases are analysed using a breath-by-breath gas analyser (Cortex).

Energy expenditure was estimated using accelerometery (Genieactive) and activity logs in the participants' normal environment, assessed during 3 weekdays of scheduled dance training and 2 weekend days without scheduled dance training. Focus is on daily energy expenditure