Study | Participants | Measures | Design | Evidence quality | Major findings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Boldt et al.[48] | 281 athletes (159 females aged 37.7 ± 10.5 years, and 122 males aged 42.8 ± 11.1 years) including a 10 km control group, 103 half marathoners and 70 marathon/ultramarathon runners | Health survey | Cross-sectional | Low | Higher rates of hypothyroidism in females (X2 = 8.515, p = 0.014, φc = 0.174). Females more likely to take supplements prescribed by a doctor (X2 = 8.554, p = 0.014, φc = 0.174). Males more likely to report weight loss resulting from running (X2 = 9.444, p = 0.024, φc = 0.183), |
Tokudome et al.[50] | 180 athletes (36 females aged 48.9 ± 6.9 years, and 144 males aged 50.5 ± 9.4 years) entered in a 2 day ultramarathon | Health survey, blood indices, BMI | Cross-sectional | Low | Training volume was negatively correlated with ferritin in both sexes. Female runners were more likely to report daily bowel motion than the general population (96.5%, 95% CI 92–100%; vs 70.5%, 95% CI 68.4–72.5%) |
Martin et al.[49] | 636 athletes (95 females and 541 males). From Italy, France and United States | Sleep survey | Cross-sectional | Low | Prevalence of reported sleep disorders was 38.9% in females compared with 22% in males (p < 0.005) |
Hoeg et al.[51] | 123 athletes (40 females and 83 males). Mean age 41.8 and 46.2 years, respectively) who competed in a 100 mile ultramarathon in 2018 or 2019 | Triad cumulative risk assessment score, DEXA, serum ferritin, vitamin D, sex hormones | Cross-sectional | Low | Proportion of athletes with: elevated risk of eating disorders: Males 44.5%, females 62.5%; history of bone stress injury: Males 20.5%, females 37.5%; BMI < 18.5 kg/m2: Males 0%, females 15%; BMD Z score < 1.0: Males: 30.1%, females 16.7%; Triad cumulative risk assessment: males—29.2% moderate risk, 5.6% high risk; females—61.1% moderate risk, 5.6% high risk |