Managing female athlete health: Auditing the representation of female versus male participants among research in supplements to manage diagnosed micronutrient issues
Date
2022
Authors
Smith, Ella S.
McKay, Alannah K. A.
Kuikman, Megan
Ackerman, Kathryn E.
Harris, Rachel
Elliott-Sale, Kirsty J.
Stellingwerff, Trent
Burke, Louise M.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Nutrients
Abstract
Micronutrient deficiencies and sub-optimal intakes among female athletes are a concern
and are commonly prevented or treated with medical supplements. However, it is unclear how
well women have been considered in the research underpinning current supplementation practices.
We conducted an audit of the literature supporting the use of calcium, iron, and vitamin D. Of the
299 studies, including 25,171 participants, the majority (71%) of participants were women. Studies
with exclusively female cohorts (37%) were also more prevalent than those examining males in
isolation (31%). However, study designs considering divergent responses between sexes were sparse,
accounting for 7% of the literature. Moreover, despite the abundance of female participants, the
quality and quantity of the literature specific to female athletes was poor. Just 32% of studies including
women defined menstrual status, while none implemented best-practice methodologies regarding
ovarian hormonal control. Additionally, only 10% of studies included highly trained female athletes.
Investigations of calcium supplementation were particularly lacking, with just two studies conducted
in highly trained women. New research should focus on high-quality investigations specific to female
athletes, alongside evaluating sex-based differences in the response to calcium, iron, and vitamin
D, thus ensuring the specific needs of women have been considered in current protocols involving
medical supplements.
Description
Keywords
women, physical activity, menstrual status, oral contraceptive, nutrition, nutrient deficiency, calcium, iron, vitamin D
Citation
Smith, E., McKay, A., Kuikman, M., Ackerman, K., Harris, R., Elliott-Sale, K., . . . Burke, L. (2022). “Managing female athlete health: Auditing the representation of female versus male participants among research in supplements to manage diagnosed micronutrient issues.” Nutrients, 14(16), 3372. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14163372