Low energy availability and high blood pressure in Division I HBCU athletes
Official title: Cardiovascular Outcomes and Relative Energy Deficiency in Division I HBCU Athletes: CORE-DI Study
Run by North Carolina Agriculture & Technical State University · NCT07583940 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will test whether not eating enough for heavy training (low energy availability) is linked to higher blood pressure and stiffer arteries in Division I HBCU athletes ages 18–25.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 26 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 150 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | North Carolina Agriculture & Technical State University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Greensboro, North Carolina) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | January 6, 2026 |
| Main results expected | May 30, 2027 |
| Study ends | June 30, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | May 13, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07583940 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are Division I HBCU collegiate athletes ages 18–25 with more than three years of competitive experience who are medically cleared for participation and not pregnant or having conditions that preclude safe testing.
✕Probably not a fit
People younger than 18, pregnant individuals, those with pacemakers, active orthopedic injuries or other medical conditions that prevent safe testing, non-collegiate athletes, or those whose hypertension stems from non-nutritional causes are unlikely to benefit directly from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is an observational pilot study enrolling Division I athletes at an HBCU to measure links between low energy availability (LEA) and cardiometabolic signs such as hypertension and vascular stiffness. Participants will complete dietary and activity assessments, clinical blood pressure testing, and vascular stiffness measurements alongside blood tests for metabolic and inflammatory markers. The study aims to determine whether measurable associations exist between LEA and cardiovascular risk and to identify candidate mechanisms that could be targeted without medications. Findings will be used to plan scalable, nutrition-focused strategies to restore energy balance and reduce cardiovascular risk in this athlete population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could help identify at-risk athletes and support nutrition-based, non-drug strategies to lower blood pressure and long-term heart disease risk.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work and IOC guidance link LEA and RED-S to cardiometabolic risk, and small pilot data suggest a strong association with hypertension, but larger studies directly linking LEA to vascular stiffness are limited.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Age: 18-25yrs Sex: Male and Female Training Status/Experience: HBCU Division I collegiate athletes with \>3yrs of previous competitive experience Exclusion Criteria: * Persons who self-report any known disease, or unknown issue precluding collegiate competitive participation: Excluded * Those who have any orthopedic injuries, concussions, or conditions which would preclude safe testing: Excluded * Individuals who are not yet adults \<18yrs (e.g.: infants, children, teenagers): Excluded * Persons who have a pacemaker: Excluded * Persons who are pregnant: Excluded
Where it's running
-
North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University
Greensboro, North Carolina, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Troy M Purdom, PhD
- Email: tpurdom@ncat.edu
- Phone: 13362853552
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.