Sara Amalie Solheim

Postdoctoral Fellow Department of Physical Performance

Email: saraas@nih.no
Phone: +47 23 26 22 45

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Background and experience

M.Sc. in Human Physiology from the University of Copenhagen (2016), and an Industrial Ph.D. in Doping Analysis and Exercise Physiology carried out in a collaboration involving Anti Doping Denmark, the WADA-accredited Norwegian Doping Control Laboratory (2020). 2020-2022: Scientific Manager at Anti Doping Denmark.

My primary research activities are related to individual differences in human physiology and the understanding of human exercise performance, its limitations, how it can be manipulated and how such manipulations can be detected

Overview of publications in Researchgate

Areas of responsibility

Postdoctor in a joint position at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences (40%) and the WADA-accredited Norwegian Doping Control Laboratory (60%). Externally funded with a Partnership for Clean Competition Fellowship.

Research

Exercise Physiology, Human Physiology, Anti-Doping, Doping Analysis, Dried Blood Spot-Testing, Performance-Enhancing Substances and Methods, Endurance, Muscular Strength

Øistuen, Gina Flugstad; Osborne, John Owen; Sundgot-Borgen, Jorunn; Noordhof, Dionne; Taylor, Madison Y. & Heikura, Ida [Show all 16 contributors for this article] (2026). Menstrual status and bone health in athletes from different sports – a retrospective analysis. BMC sports science, medicine and rehabilitation. doi: 10.1186/s13102-026-01781-y. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Abstract Background Relative energy deficiency in sport (REDs) is linked to low energy availability, menstrual disturbances (MD) and low bone mineral density (BMD; Z-score < -1.0). The prevalence of these symptoms across sports and their interrelationships requires further investigation. This study aimed to 1) investigate the prevalence of severe MD and low BMD among athletes from different sports, 2) compare BMD Z-scores at lumbar spine, total hip and whole-body between regularly menstruating (RM), severe MD and hormonal contraceptive (HC) users, and 3) examine factors related to BMD among endurance athletes, including menstrual status, athletic caliber and sport-specific loading characteristics. Methods Retrospective analysis of cross-sectional data from seven projects included 411 women from 34 sports (endurance: n = 257; non-endurance: n = 154). BMD was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Menstrual status was defined by the three-step method, cycle tracking or questionnaire, and categorized as RM, severe MD or HC. Endurance sports were further grouped by loading characteristics (very low, low and medium). Results Among non-HC users (51%), the prevalence of severe MD was 37% in endurance, 34% in ball sport and 36% in power- and technical- sports. BMD was not different between menstrual status groups at either lumbar spine ( P = 0.334), total hip ( P = 0.079) or whole-body ( P = 0.164). Endurance athletes had lower lumbar spine BMD Z-scores than non-endurance athletes (-0.0 ± 1.0 vs 1.2 ± 1.2, P < 0.0001), with a higher prevalence of low BMD (17% vs 2%, P = 0.015). Total hip BMD Z-scores were lower in endurance than non-endurance athletes (0.6 ± 0.9 vs 1.4 ± 1.2, P < 0.05 for age < 27). Among endurance athletes, neither loading characteristics nor athletic caliber were associated with BMD. However, endurance athletes with severe MD had lower total hip BMD Z-scores compared to RM athletes ( P = 0.008) and HC users ( P = 0.021). Conclusions The prevalence of severe MD did not differ between sport types. Overall, BMD Z-scores did not differ across menstrual status categories. However, endurance athletes had lower BMD, with total hip BMD being lower in those with severe MD. Heterogenous menstrual assessment methods across the projects included in this study may have impacted the results. Future research should integrate comprehensive REDs assessments including detailed data on menstrual status, training history, bone-loading impact and injuries in female athletes from different sports.
Levernæs, Maren Christin Stillesby; Solheim, Sara Amalie; Broderstad, Lillian; Zandy, Essa; Mørkeberg, Jakob & Dehnes, Yvette (2024). Detection of doping substances in paired dried blood spots and urine samples collected during doping controls in Danish fitness centers. Drug Testing and Analysis. ISSN 1942-7603. doi: 10.1002/dta.3660. Full text in Research Archive

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Solstad, Tom Erik Jorung; Shaw, Matthew Peter & Solheim, Sara Amalie (2020). Episode 24 - Antidoping. [Internet]. Idrettsforskning. Full text in Research Archive

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Published Oct. 17, 2023 1:12 PM - Last modified Dec. 13, 2023 2:35 PM