Digital Commons Network^™

Saliva Cortisol Diurnal Variation And Stress Responses In Term And Preterm Infants, David Q. Stoye, James P. Boardman, Clive Osmond, Gemma Sullivan, Gillian Lamb, Gill S. Black, Natalie Z. M. Homer, Nina Nelson, Elvar Theodorsson, Evalotte Mörelius, Rebecca M. Reynolds

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objective:

To determine if preterm birth is associated with adaptation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and whether HPA axis programming relates to the degree of prematurity (defined as extremely preterm birth at < 28 weeks or very preterm birth at 28–32 weeks gestation).

Design:

This study reports findings from a prospective birth cohort. Saliva cortisol concentrations were measured prevaccination and postvaccination, and in the morning and evening, at 4 months chronological age.

Setting:

Infants born at a single Scottish hospital.

Participants:

45 term-born, 42 very preterm and 16 extremely preterm infants.

Outcomes:

Cortisol stress response to vaccination (postvaccination minus prevaccination cortisol concentrations), diurnal slope (log-transformed morning minus log-transformed evening cortisol values) …

Care Ethics Framework For Midwifery Practice: A Scoping Review, Kate Buchanan, Elizabeth Newnham, Deborah Ireson, Clare Davison, Sadie Geraghty

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background:

As a normative theory, care ethics has become widely theorized and accepted. However, there remains a lack of clarity in relation to its use in practice, and a care ethics framework for practice. Maternity care is fraught with ethical issues and care ethics may provide an avenue to enhance ethical sensitivity.

Aim:

The purpose of this scoping review is to determine how care ethics is used amongst health professions, and to collate the information in data charts to create a care ethics framework and definition for midwifery practice.

Method:

The scoping review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting …

Associations Between Instagram Addiction, Academic Performance, Social Anxiety, Depression, And Life Satisfaction Among University Students, Behzad Foroughi, Mark D. Griffiths, Mohammad Iranmanesh, Yashar Salamzadeh

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The use of social networking sites (SNSs) has become increasingly popular. Although several studies have been carried out on the addictive use of SNSs such as Twitter and Facebook, there is little research on Instagram addiction and its drivers. The present study investigated the association between students’ needs and Instagram addiction by incorporating physical activity as a moderator among 364 university students. Additionally, the associations between Instagram addiction, academic performance, depression, social anxiety, and life satisfaction were investigated. The results showed that recognition needs, social needs, and entertainment needs all contributed to Instagram addiction. However, information needs were not a …

Evaluation Of An Australian Neurological Nurse-Led Model Of Postdischarge Care, Judith Dianne Pugh, Kathleen Mccoy, Merrilee Needham, Leanne Jiang, Margaret Giles, Elizabeth Mckinnon, Kym Heine

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Neurological disorders are a leading cause of disease burden worldwide, placing a heavy demand on health systems. This study evaluated the impacts and cost savings of a community-based nursing service providing supported discharge for neurological patients deemed high-risk for unplanned emergency department presentations and/or hospital readmissions. It focused on adult patients with stroke, epilepsy, migraine/headache or functional neurological disorders discharged from a Western Australian tertiary hospital. An observational design was used comprising prospective enrolment of patients receiving nurse-led supported discharge and follow-up (Neurocare), 21 August 2018 to 6 December 2019 (N = 81), and hospital administrative data, 1 February …

Customer Behaviour Towards Halal Food: A Systematic Review And Agenda For Future Research, Mohammad Iranmanesh, Madugoda Gunaratnege Senali, Morteza Ghobakhloo, Davoud Nikbin, Ghazanfar Ali Abbasi

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Purpose: The halal food market is a large and fast-growing market. To maintain and boost the growth of the halal food industry, scholars have attempted to understand the behaviour of Muslims and non-Muslims towards halal food. To advance understating of previous studies on behaviour towards halal food and shedding light on future studies, this study aims to systematically review the literature.

Design/methodology/approach: A sample of 985 peer-reviewed papers was extracted from Scopus and Web of Science databases. A total of 96 articles related to customers' behaviour towards halal food by reviewing the titles, abstracts and contents of the extracted articles …

Reunification In Informal Foster Care Child Placement: Examining The Different Pathways In Ghana, Hajara Bentum, Esmeranda Manful

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Informal foster care remains the preferred alternative care option for children in many parts of the world. However, the processes of reunification in informal foster care are largely unknown. This qualitative study sought to explore the reunification processes within informal foster care in Ghana to inform child protection services for better program design for such children. Twenty interviews were conducted with reunified fostered children and their biological parents. Data from the in-depth interviews with parents and children were analyzed thematically. Three main processes of reunification were identified in this study namely; open, flexible exit plans and educational threshold arrangements. The …

Career Satisfaction Antecedents Of Professional Accounting Returnees In International Workplaces: An Employee Experience Perspective, Nga Thi Thuy Ho, Hung Trong Hoang, Pi-Shen Seet, Janice Jones, Nhat Tan Pham

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the determinants of career satisfaction of professional accounting returnees who have studied and/or worked abroad and then returned to work in different types of international workplaces in their home country.

Design/methodology/approach: A survey of professional accounting returnees in Vietnam was undertaken and multiple regression analysis was applied to test the proposed relationships.

Findings: This study finds that career satisfaction is affected by career fit, career sacrifice, types of international workplaces (domestically headquartered firms versus globally headquartered firms) and cross-cultural work readjustment. Further, cross-cultural work readjustment partially mediates the effect of career …

Torturous Journeys: Cruelty, International Law, And Pushbacks And Pullbacks Over The Mediterranean Sea, Jamal Barnes

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Boat pushbacks and pullbacks by Italy and the European Union (EU) have returned migrants and refugees to Libya where they have been subjected to brutal human rights violations, such as torture and ill-treatment. This article argues that these pushbacks and pullbacks not only undermine key human rights principles, but they are also an act of cruelty. As Italy and the EU have used the law to evade their international human rights and refugee obligations, the law has had distributive effects that have shaped migration pathways and exacerbated the vulnerability of migrants and refugees to torture. Not only have legal manoeuvres …

Dietary Supplements In People With Metastatic Cancer Who Are Experiencing Malnutrition, Cachexia, Sarcopenia, And Frailty: A Scoping Review, Jolyn Johal, Chad Yixian Han, Ria Joseph, Zachary Munn, Oluwaseyifunmi Andi Agbejule, Fiona Crawford‐Williams, Matthew P. Wallen, Raymond J. Chan, Nicolas H. Hart

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Cancer‐associated malnutrition, or cachexia, stemming from cancer or its treatments, is particularly prevalent in metastatic cancers, and is often interrelated with sarcopenia and frailty. Evidence suggests that dietary supplements play a role in managing these conditions. As metastatic cancer cells are associated with notable genomic and phenotypic alterations, response to dietary supplements may differ between metastatic and non‐metastatic cancers. However, research in this area is lacking. This scoping review aims to identify the dietary supplements that have been studied in patients with metastatic cancers and malnutrition‐related conditions, along with their proposed effects, mechanisms, outcome measures, and tools used. A systematic …

Youth Participation: Adultism, Human Rights And Professional Youth Work, Tim Corney, Trudi Cooper, Harry Shier, Howard Williamson

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This article argues that the right of young people to participate in decisions being made about them forms the basis for professional youth work practice. The authors consider the nature of ‘participation’ and its relation to human rights, and introduces the concept of ‘adultism’ and the challenges for youth workers combatting ‘adultist’ beliefs and practices in the work of participation. The paper considers the benefits and limitations of youth participation models, and addresses the relationship between rights-based participation practice, and critical pedagogy (dialogical) in youth work.

The Quality Of Life Of Regional And Remote Cancer Caregivers In Australia, Belinda C. Goodwin, Fiona Crawford-Williams, Michael Ireland, Sonja March, Suzanne K. Chambers, Joanne F. Aitken, Jeff Dunn

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objective: This study compares the well-being of rural caregivers with that of the general population and explores the potential drivers of poorer outcomes. Method: Patient–caregiver dyads (n = 241) residing in regional or remote Queensland, Australia, reported on QoL, chronic illness, caregiver burden, depression, anxiety and stress. Caregiver outcomes were compared with population norms and patient outcomes. Multiple regressions were conducted to identify factors associated with poorer caregiver outcomes. Results: Caregivers reported lower mental health-related QoL (M = 0.436, 95% CI = 0.410–0.462) in comparison with age-matched population norms (M = 0.556, 95% CI = 0.532–0.580). No differences existed between …

Tackling Hotel Employees’ Turnover: A Moderated-Mediation Analysis Of Transformational Leadership, Organisational Embeddedness, And Community Embeddedness, Albert Amankwaa, Pi Shen Seet, Pattanee Susomrith

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Research in the last two decades suggests that job embeddedness may reduce employee turnover. However, little is known about whether this is the case in the hotel industry despite its high turnover rates. Besides, most studies have been conducted in the US, where the job embeddedness construct was developed and tested, suggesting the need to test the job embeddedness-turnover link in other contexts to improve its theoretical accuracy and generalisability. Additionally, while appropriate leader behaviours may enhance follower job embeddedness, empirical studies are sparse. Drawing from the Conservation of Resources theory, this study examines how transformational leaders may address hotel …

Beyond Sightseeing: How Can Tourism Affect Public/Global Health In Modern Society?, Jun Wen, Metin Kozak, Yangyang Jiang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Tourism was historically regarded as a practical and business-oriented domain rather than as a research dis - cipline [1,2]. Ontologically, tourism was seen as a field in which to apply theory and as a means of fulfilling needs related to leisure, pleasure, and social health. Little effort has been made to uncover its more nuanced meanings. In 2006, John Tribe, a leading tourism scholar, published a commentary challenging the truth of tourism research and described a complex phenomenon in which the construct’s psychological, philosophi - cal, and social dimensions/values were not well understood [ 3]. He also suggested that much …

“You Never Exhale Fully Because You're Not Sure What's Next”: Parents' Experiences Of Stress Caring For Children With Chronic Conditions, Stephanie Smith, Mary Tallon, Carrie Clark, Lauren Jones, Evalotte Mörelius

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Children with chronic conditions are experiencing improved survival worldwide, and it is well-known that their parents are stressed. Yet, despite this knowledge, parents continue to experience stress. Our study explored the lived experience of parental stress when caring for children with various chronic conditions to identify opportunities to potentially reduce stress for these parents. This was an exploratory qualitative study using semi-structured interviews. To ensure appropriate research priorities were addressed, the study was co-designed with consumer and stakeholder involvement. Twenty parents were interviewed. Parents were recruited through a recognized family support organization for children with various care needs in Western …

Effects Of A Multicomponent Resistance-Based Exercise Program With Protein, Vitamin D And Calcium Supplementation On Cognition In Men With Prostate Cancer Treated With Adt: Secondary Analysis Of A 12-Month Randomised Controlled Trial, Niamh Liana Mundell, Patrick J. Owen, Jack Dalla Via, Helen Macpherson, Robin Daly, Patricia M. Livingston, Timo Rantalainen, Stephen Foulkes, Jerremy Millar, Declan G. Murphy, Steve Fraser

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this preplanned secondary analysis of a 12-month randomised controlled trial was to investigate the effects of a multicomponent exercise programme combined with daily whey protein, calcium and vitamin D supplementation on cognition in men with prostate cancer treated with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). DESIGN: 12-month, two-arm, randomised controlled trial. SETTING: University clinical exercise centre. PARTICIPANTS: 70 ADT-treated men were randomised to exercise-training plus supplementation (Ex+ Suppl, n=34) or usual care (control, n=36). INTERVENTION: Men allocated to Ex + Suppl undertook thrice weekly resistance training with weight-bearing exercise training plus daily whey protein (25 g), calcium (1200 …

Review Of Cannabis Use Among Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander People, Julia Butt, Mandy Wilson, Jocelyn Jones, Simon Lenton

Journal of the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet

The health effects of cannabis use may not always be seen as a high priority for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. However, the impact of cannabis use on physical and mental health can have significant consequences. It is known that the use of high potency cannabis has increased over the last two decades, with a corresponding increased risk to health. In particular, young people are at increased risk of experiencing harms to mental health. Physical harms to health include effects on the respiratory system, cardiovascular system, an increased risk of cancer, and in-utero effects from maternal use. The review …

Effectiveness Of Nurse-Led Volunteer Support And Technology-Driven Pain Assessment In Improving The Outcomes Of Hospitalised Older Adults: Protocol For A Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial, Rosemary Saunders, Kate Crookes, Karla Seaman, Seng Giap Marcus Ang, Caroline Bulsara, Max K. Bulsara, Beverley Ewens, Olivia Gallagher, Renee M. Graham, Karen Gullick, Sue Haydon, Jeff Hughes, Mustafa Atee, Kim Huong Nguyen, Bev O'Connell, Debra Scaini, Christopher Etherton-Beer

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction:

Hospitalised older adults are prone to functional deterioration, which is more evident in frail older patients and can be further exacerbated by pain. Two interventions that have the potential to prevent progression of frailty and improve patient outcomes in hospitalised older adults but have yet to be subject to clinical trials are nurse-led volunteer support and technology-driven assessment of pain.

Methods and Analysis:

This single-centre, prospective, non-blinded, cluster randomised controlled trial will compare the efficacy of nurse-led volunteer support, technology-driven pain assessment and the combination of the two interventions to usual care for hospitalised older adults. Prior to commencing …

The Association Between Fgf21 And Diabetic Erectile Dysfunction: Evidence From Clinical And Animal Studies, Song Yang, Yichun Zhang, Xiaohui Lyu, Yuanyuan Gu, Guodong Zhang, Pengcheng Liu, Yulu Zheng, Zheng Guo, Yanbo Zhang, Haifeng Hou

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Erectile dysfunction (ED), a complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), affects 50–75% of men with diabetes. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a liver-derived metabolic regulator which plays a role in insulin-independent glucose uptake in adipocytes. We designed a clinical study and an animal experiment to investigate the relationship between FGF21 and DM-induced ED. The clinical study enrolled 93 participants aged > 18 years (61 patients with type 2 DM and 32 healthy controls) from Taian City Central Hospital (TCCH) in Shandong Province, China, amongst whom the association between serum FGF21 and diabetic ED was analyzed. To further validate this association, we …

Weight Loss For Overweight And Obese Patients With Prostate Cancer: A Study Protocol Of A Randomised Trial Comparing Clinic-Based Versus Telehealth Delivered Exercise And Nutrition Intervention (The Telex Trial), Daniel A. Galvão, Dennis R. Taaffe, Dickon Hayne, Pedro Lopez, Philippa Lyons-Wall, Colin I. Tang, Suzanne K. Chambers, Amanda Devine, Nigel Spry, Emily Jeffery, Christine Kudiarasu, David Joseph, Robert U. Newton

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction Obese men with prostate cancer have an increased risk of biochemical recurrence, metastatic disease and mortality. For those undergoing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), substantial increases in fat mass are observed in the first year of treatment. Recently, we showed that a targeted supervised clinic-based exercise and nutrition intervention can result in a substantial reduction in fat mass with muscle mass preserved in ADT-treated patients. However, the intervention needs to be accessible to all patients and not just those who can access a supervised clinic-based programme. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of telehealth delivered compared …

Multi-Tiered Culturally Responsive Behavior Support: A Qualitative Study Of Trauma-Informed Education In An Australian Primary School, Dayna Schimke, Govind Krishnamoorthy, Kay Ayre, Emily Berger, Bronwyn Rees

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

There is growing awareness of the impact of intergenerational trauma and community disadvantage on the educational achievement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (First Nations) children in Australia. Scholars have identified the need for culturally responsive and trauma-informed approaches to complement existing disciplinary and behavior support practices utilized in schools. This pilot research project explored the experiences of primary school teachers who were supported to implement trauma-informed practices in a regional primary school with a large number of First Nations students. Qualitative interviews with eight teachers were conducted after a 3-year (2017–2020) implementation of the Trauma-Informed Behavior Support (TIBS) program. …

Non-Pharmacological Self-Management Strategies For Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy In People With Advanced Cancer: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Megan Crichton, Patsy M. Yates, Oluwaseyifunmi Andi Agbejule, Amy Spooner, Raymond J. Chan, Nicolas H. Hart

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Non-pharmacological self-management interventions for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotherapy (CIPN) are of clinical interest; however, no systematic review has synthesized the evidence for their use in people with advanced cancer. Five databases were searched from inception to February 2022 for randomized controlled trials assessing the effect of non-pharmacological self-management interventions in people with advanced cancer on the incidence and severity of CIPN symptoms and related outcomes compared to any control condition. Data were pooled with metaanalysis. Quality of evidence was appraised using the Revised Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for Randomized Trials (RoB2), with data synthesized narratively. Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development …

Cultural Change Shapes The Sustainable Development Of Religious Ecotourism Villages In Bali, Indonesia, I. Gusti Ayu Purnamawati, Ferry Jie, Saarce Elsye Hatane

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This research aims to determine the impact of technology, commitment, and cultural change on the sustainable development of religious ecotourism villages. This study utilized quantitative research methods. The sampling technique used was random sampling, determined by the slovin formula—data collection techniques through the distribution of questionnaires and measurement using a Likert scale. The study was done in an ecotourism village in Bali Province with a population of 155 individuals, and the sample size was 100. The Structural Equation Model using WarpPLS 5.0 software modelling was used for the statistical analysis. The results demonstrate that the technology and commitment variables have …

Effects Of Tai Chi On The Quality Of Life, Mental Wellbeing, And Physical Function Of Adults With Chronic Diseases: Protocol For A Single-Blind, Two-Armed, Randomised Controlled Trial, Carol Chunfeng Wang, Johnny Lo, Sadie Geraghty, Angela Wei Hong Yang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction Quality of life (QoL), mental wellbeing, and physical function are often diminished among people with chronic disease. Tai Chi is a moderate form of exercise that may be effective in improving chronic disease management. This protocol paper outlines a trial to determine the therapeutic effects of a Tai Chi program on chronic disease management. Methods and analysis This study will be a pilot, interventional, single-blind, two-armed, randomised, parallel, and controlled trial involving a 12-week Tai Chi program for Australian adults. Forty people aged 18 years and older, diagnosed with one or more chronic disease from general community will be …

Subjective Wellbeing Among University Students And Recent Graduates: Evidence From The United Kingdom, William E. Donald, Denise Jackson

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study compares students’ and recent graduates’ perceptions of their subjective wellbeing and offers support mechanisms and resources to enhance wellbeing in higher education. Survey data were collected in September 2021 from 414 UK-based higher education students and recent graduates on their self-perceived subjective wellbeing in March 2020 (before COVID-19 regulations restrictions) and September 2021 (18 months later). Findings showed that subjective wellbeing scores fell for almost three-quarters of university students and recent graduates between March 2020 and September 2021. Interestingly, around one-fifth of participants reported increased subjective wellbeing scores whilst the remaining participants reported no impact. Positive impacts of …

Australians Underestimate Social Compliance With Coronavirus Restrictions: Findings From A National Survey, Zoe Leviston, Samantha K. Stanley, Iain Walker

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objective: We assessed differences between Australians’ perceptions of their own compliance with coronavirus restrictions and their perceptions of community compliance. Methods: We surveyed a national quota sample of 1,691 Australians in August and September 2020. Participants reported their level of compliance with coronavirus restrictions and estimated compliance from others in their state/territory. Results: Overwhelmingly, most people reported complying with restrictions. They believed their fellow community members were much less compliant. Age and other demographics were only weakly associated with self-reported compliance and perceptions of others’ compliance. Conclusions: The results are consistent with prevalent cognitive biases, including the tendency to believe …

The Reliability And Magnitude Of Time-Dependent Force-Time Characteristics During The Isometric Midthigh Pull Are Affected By Both Testing Protocol And Analysis Choices, Stuart N. Guppy, Yosuke Kotani, Claire J. Brady, Shannon Connolly, Paul Comfort, Gregory G. Haff

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study aimed to investigate whether the use of short-duration (SHORT) isometric midthigh pull (IMTP) trials resulted in greater reliability and magnitude of time-dependent force-time characteristics than traditionally performed IMTP trials (TRAD). Fourteen subjects with > 6 months' training experience with the power clean volunteered to take part in the study. Subjects performed five ∼1-second IMTP trials (SHORT) and five 5-second IMTP trials (TRAD). SHORT resulted in substantially more reliable rate of force development (RFD) measures (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.97–0.99; coefficient of variation [CV] = 2.6–7.0%), particularly during time bands from force-onset to 150 ms, compared with TRAD when …

Out-Of-Hospital Births And The Experiences Of Emergency Ambulance Clinicians And Birthing Parents: A Scoping Review Protocol, Michella Hill, Alecka Miles, Belinda Flanagan, Brennen Mills, Luke Hopper

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction Emergency ambulance clinicians attend a wide range of prehospital emergencies, including out-of-hospital births (OOHBs). Intrapartum care comprises approximately 0.05% of emergency medical services' caseload, with only ∼ 10% of intrapartum cases progressing to birth in emergency ambulance clinician care. However, this low exposure rate potentially allows obstetric clinical skills and knowledge to decay, which may impact on patient care. Additionally, unplanned OOHBs are known to have a higher incidence of complications and adverse outcomes than their counterparts born in hospital, such as postpartum haemorrhage or hypothermia. This scoping review will explore OOHBs and associated complications in emergency ambulance clinician …

Writing Assessment In Early Primary Classrooms: Thoughts From Four Teachers, Elle Mariano, Glenda Campbell-Evans, Janet Hunter

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

It is important that teachers are conscious of and reflect upon their views of writing in order to support students to achieve writing outcomes. This study examined teacher views about which aspects of writing they considered most important in years one and two and explored how these views came to be formed. Four West Australian teachers participated in semi-structured interviews, during which they carried out a think-aloud process, voicing their thoughts as they examined, commented on, and evaluated young students’ writing samples. These data provided insights into their reasoning as they assessed children’s writing in years one and two. Findings …

Telehealth Cancer-Related Fatigue Clinic Model For Cancer Survivors: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial Protocol (The T-Crf Trial), Rahul Ladwa, Elizabeth P. Pinkham, Laisa Teleni, Brigid Hanley, Gemma Lock, Jodie Nixon, Oluwaseyifunmi Andi Agbejule, Fiona Crawford-Williams, Lee Jones, Mark B. Pinkham, Jane Turner, Patsy Yates, Steven M. Mcphail, Joanne F. Aitken, Carmen P. Escalante, Nicolas H. Hart, Raymond J. Chan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

INTRODUCTION: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is one of the most common and debilitating adverse effects of cancer and its treatment reported by cancer survivors. Physical activity, psychological interventions and management of concurrent symptoms have been shown to be effective in alleviating CRF. This pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) will determine the feasibility of a telehealth CRF clinic intervention (T-CRF) to implement evidence-based strategies and assess the impact of the intervention on CRF and other clinical factors in comparison to usual care. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A parallel-arm (intervention vs usual care) pilot RCT will be conducted at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in …

Dietary Iron And The Elite Dancer, Caitlin Attwell, Cory Dugan, Alannah K. A. Mckay, Joanna Nicholas, Luke Hopper, Peter Peeling

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Dancers are an athlete population at high risk of developing iron deficiency (ID). The aesthetic nature of the discipline means dancers potentially utilise dietary restriction to meet physique goals. In combination with high training demands, this means dancers are susceptible to problems related to low energy availability (LEA), which impacts nutrient intake. In the presence of LEA, ID is common because of a reduced mineral content within the low energy diet. Left untreated, ID becomes an issue that results in fatigue, reduced aerobic work capacity, and ultimately, iron deficient anaemia (IDA). Such progression can be detrimental to a dancer’s capacity …