Examination of the Cumulative Risk Assessment and Nutritional Profiles among College Ballet Dancers

This study evaluated the Female Athlete Triad (Triad) risk and nutritional status of 28 female collegiate ballet dancers. The primary tool was the Cumulative Risk Assessment (CRA), which integrates factors like eating disorder risk, low energy availability, menstrual dysfunction, and low bone density to assign a clinical return-to-play classification. The average CRA score was 3.5 ± 1.6. The resulting classifications were: 7.1% Full Clearance, 82.1% Provisional Clearance, and 10.7% Restricted/Medical Disqualified. Dietary analysis of 26 dancers revealed widespread inadequacies: 96.2% were low in carbohydrates, 92.3% low in protein, 100% low in vitamin D, and 96.2% low in calcium. The average energy availability was 12.2 ± 11.3 kcals/kg FFM/day, below recommended levels. The authors note a high prevalence of disordered eating risk (76.9%) and suggest that low energy availability is a significant driver of Triad risk in this population. Limitations include the retrospective design, inability to control precisely for all dance activity duration and intensity, and lack of performance data. The study concludes that a patient-centered, multidisciplinary approach using tools like the CRA is critical for the early prevention and management of Triad risk and nutritional deficiencies in ballet dancers.