Date of Graduation
5-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Degree Level
Undergraduate
Department
Nursing
Advisor/Mentor
Dr. Marilou Shreve
Committee Member
Dr. Emily Richardson
Abstract
Background: RED-S is a common risk factor for amenorrhea in female athletes. Athletes that compete in high-intensity sports or without adequate caloric intake, are at risk for low energy expenditure which may disrupt hormonal balance. As development of RED-S is a well-established risk factor for amenorrhea, early detection and correction is crucial to prevent long term health consequences.
Purpose: The purpose of this research is to explore if there is a correlation between RED-S score and amenorrhea in female athletes.
Methods: An online survey was distributed to approximately 220 female athletes at the University of Arkansas using Qualtrics. The 69-question survey was adapted and expanded from a dance specific energy availability questionnaire and asked 22 questions linked to clinical outcomes of RED-S. Scoring of RED-S may range from -20 to +40. A negative score suggests a higher risk for RED-S Syndrome.
Results: Fifteen female athletes completed the survey. The mean RED-S score among the female athletes was 2.47. There was no statistical correlation found between amenorrhea and likelihood of RED-S development. There is statistical significance (p= 0.029) that a one-unit increase in RED-S score will decrease the likelihood of having a regular menstrual cycle (r=0.05).
Conclusions: This study supports current literature suggesting female athletes who are at greater risk for RED-S are more likely for menstrual irregularities. The findings of this study cannot be generalized to the female athlete population due to a small sample size. Future research should be done to clarify the relationship between female athletes who participate in sports associated with higher incidence of amenorrhea and the risk of developing RED-S, using a larger sample size.
Keywords
RED-S, amenorrhea, female athletes, sports, menstruation
Citation
Holland, R. S., & Shreve, M. D. (2026). The Prevalence of Amenorrhea in Relation to RED-S Syndrome Among Various Sports in Collegiate Female Athletes. The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/nursuht/230
