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Low Energy Availability and Hypertension in Division I HBCU Athletes

NCT07583940 · Status: RECRUITING · Type: OBSERVATIONAL · Enrollment: 150

Last updated 2026-05-13

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Low energy availability (LEA) occurs when the body does not get enough calories to support both daily life and exercise. This can happen when athletes train hard but do not eat enough to match their energy needs. In both 2012 and 2023, the International Olympic Committee on Sports Nutrition recognized LEA as an important factor that can increase the risk of cardiometabolic disease (CMD), which includes conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. LEA can affect many systems in the body. It may disrupt hormones (such as menstrual cycles), cause changes in blood sugar and cholesterol levels, weaken bones, impair digestion, and negatively impact mental health. Over time, these changes may be linked to chronic inflammation, which plays a key role in the development of disease. Maintaining proper energy balance can be especially challenging for athletes because they often train at levels well above general health recommendations. As a result, even highly fit athletes may unintentionally remain in a calorie deficit. Our recent pilot research found a significant relationship between LEA and high blood pressure in Black Division I collegiate athletes. This is important because this group has historically been understudied and may face a higher risk of serious heart-related events, including sudden cardiac death. Despite assumptions that collegiate athletes are uniformly healthy, there is a need to better understand hidden health risks in this population. Our research aims to improve how we identify and monitor early signs of cardiometabolic disease by examining markers such as inflammation, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels. These insights will help healthcare providers, athletes, and families make more informed decisions about nutrition, training, and long-term health. Ultimately, this work seeks to develop practical, evidence-based strategies to protect athlete health and reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular outcomes.

Conditions

  • Vascular Stiffness
  • Hypertension (HTN)
  • Nutritional Deficiency Related Cardiovascular Risk in Athletes

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

    collaborator NIH

  • North Carolina Agriculture & Technical State University

    lead OTHER

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
26 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-01-06
Primary Completion
2027-05-30
Completion
2028-06-30

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07583940 on ClinicalTrials.gov