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Female Athlete Triad's Components in Practitioners of Dance: A Systematic Review
Marcela Gemeliano Valverde1, Arthur Venâncio da Silva1, Beatriz Pardal de Matos1
1Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Brazil.
Summary
Female dancers face high risks of the Female Athlete Triad (FAT) and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs), with significant prevalence of disordered eating, menstrual dysfunction, and low bone density. Aesthetic pressures and training volume are key contributing factors.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Exercise Physiology
- Dance Science
Background:
- Dance demands high energy and aesthetic pressures, increasing risks of low energy availability.
- The Female Athlete Triad (FAT) and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) impact metabolic, menstrual, and bone health in athletes.
- Limited evidence exists on the prevalence and characteristics of FAT and REDs specifically in female dancers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and identify risk factors associated with the Female Athlete Triad (FAT) and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) in female dancers.
- To synthesize current research on the prevalence and contributing factors of these conditions within the dance population.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review adhering to PRISMA 2020 guidelines, registered on PROSPERO.
- Searches conducted across five major electronic databases up to May 2026, including studies on female dancers aged 15-39 assessing Triad components.
- Methodological quality assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tools, with independent screening and data extraction by two reviewers.
Main Results:
- Eleven studies involving 906 female dancers, primarily ballet, were included.
- High prevalence rates were found: disordered eating (28-74%), menstrual dysfunction (40-66%), and low bone mineral density (15-40%).
- Key associated factors identified include aesthetic demands, high training volume, and body image dissatisfaction.
Conclusions:
- Current evidence highlights a significant prevalence of FAT and REDs components in female dancers, especially in ballet.
- Most existing studies are cross-sectional, limiting causal inference and emphasizing the need for longitudinal research.
- Future research should utilize longitudinal designs and objective measures to elucidate mechanisms and inform prevention strategies for these conditions in dancers.
