Bone Mineral Density in Physique- Focused and Non-Physique Focused Female Collegiate Athletes: Associations with REDs Risk Factors

Bone mineral density (BMD) is a critical indicator of skeletal health and long-term injury risk in athletic populations. Female athletes are susceptible to changes in BMD due to sport-specific training demands, hormonal dysregulation, and energy availability. PURPOSE: The present study aimed to compare BMD between physique focused (PF) and non-physique focused (NPF) female collegiate athletes and assess the prevalence of various risk factors associated with Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) across both groups. METHODS: Thirty-three female athletes were evaluated for BMD via Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA), REDs risk using the CAT2, and anthropometric measurements, blood biomarkers, the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q), and the Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire (LEAF-Q). RESULTS: PF athletes demonstrated significantly lower DXA-derived z-scores (BMD (g/cm2) at AP spine, dual femur, and total body sites than NPF athletes (p