Low energy availability (EA) can be detrimental for athlete health. Currently, it is not known what the threshold for low EA in men is, and what effects it may have on performance.This study was se...

Purpose: Low energy availability in males needs more original research to understand its health and performance consequences. The aim of the study was to induce low energy availability in previously healthy male endurance athletes by reducing energy availability by 25% for 14 consecutive days and measure any potential changes in performance, health, mental state or energy markers. Methods: Energy availability was reduced in 12 trained, well-trained and elite endurance athletes by increasing energy expenditure and controlling energy intake. After intervention, health was assessed by blood draw, body composition was measured, energy markers by measuring resting energy expenditure, performance with three specific tests (measuring endurance, agility and explosive power) and two questionnaires were used for psychological assessment (the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire and Well-being questionnaire). Results: Reduced energy availability (22.4 ± 6.3 kcal/kg FFM/day) caused significantly lower haemoglobin values (t(12) = 2.652, p = 0.022), there was a tendency for lower iron and IGF-1 (p = 0.066 and p = 0.077, respectively). Explosive power was reduced (t(12) = 4.570, p = 0.001), lactate metabolism was altered and athletes reported poorer well-being (t(12) = 2.385, p = 0.036). Cognitive restriction was correlated with energy availability (r = 0.528, p = 0.039). Conclusion: This is the first research providing direct evidence that suboptimal energy availability negatively impacts explosive power before hormonal changes occur in male endurance athletes. It is also the first to show direct association of low energy availability and higher cognitive restriction. We also observed worse well-being and lower haemoglobin values. 25% of energy availability reduction as not enough to elicit changes in resting energy expenditure.

Low energy availability in male athletes has gained a lot of attention in recent years, but direct evidence of its effects on health and performance is lacking. The aim of this research was to obje...

The aim of this study was to severely reduce energy availability (EA) in controlled conditions in trained male endurance athletes to observe any effects on health, performance, and psychological and energy markers. EA was reduced by 50% over 14 days in athletes by maintaining identical energy intake and increasing exercise energy expenditure. Blood was drawn, performance was measured by three specific tests (endurance, explosive power and agility) and two psychological questionnaires were used. Reduced EA (17.3 ± 5.0 kcal/kg FFM/day) resulted in lower body fat% (t(12) = 3.36, p = 0.006), lower power output and relative power output (t(12) = 2.69, p = 0.021 t(12) = 2.34, p = 0.036), explosive power was reduced (t(12) = 6.41, p = 0.000), lactate metabolism was altered (p = 0.001). EA was negatively correlated with haemoglobin and testosterone (r = −0.557, p = 0.30 and r = −0.532, p = 0.037), anaerobic threshold (r = −0.597, p = 0.02) and respiratory compensation point (r = −0.575, p = 0.025). There were significant differences in Well-being (t(12) = 4.11, p = 0.002) and the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (t(12) = −2.71, p = 0.020). This is the first study to demonstrate that endurance performance and explosive power can be affected before detrimental health effects occur in male athletes. Drastic reductions of EA could lead to poor eating behaviours. The two psychological questionnaires seem to be more sensitive to EA changes than blood markers.

Predicting VO_2max in athletes is vital for determining endurance capacity, for performance monitoring, in clinical diagnostic procedures, and for disease management. This study aimed to assess the most suitable equation for predicting VO_2max in competitive cyclists. Competitive cyclists (496 males, 84 females, Caucasian, 580 total) were included in the study from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2019. Only subjects who were actively participating in national or international competitions and who were registered competitive cyclists and part of cycling teams at the time of the measurements were included. Subjects performed an incremental test on a cycle ergometer, and VO_2max was measured as indicated by a plateau in VO₂. In addition, four prediction equations (the FRIEND, Storer, Fairbarn, and Jones) were used to estimate VO_2max. The predicted VO_2max using the FRIEND equation was in good agreement with the measured VO_2max in male and female athletes. This was reflected by a high correlation with r = 0.684 for men and r = 0.897 for women (p = 0.000), with ICC = 0.568 (95% CI 0.184, 0.752) for men and ICC = 0.881 (95% CI 0.813, 0.923) for women. Total error was 1.56 and 1.48 ml/min/kg and a minimal bias of−3.6 and −1.1 ml/min/kg (men and women, respectively). Using other equations resulted in a slight decline in agreement with the measured standard. The FRIEND equation predicted VO_2max accurately with small total error, small prediction errors, and with the smallest constant error in our study cohort, indicating the potential value of using FRIEND equation also in competitive cyclists. This equation proved to have the highest accuracy both in male and female cyclists.

This paper aimed to analyse an individually set training programme in recreationally active female runners and its effects on endurance and performance. Nine female athletes (age 34.0±5.4 years) went through eight weeks of polarized training based on a modified training impulse method. Their training zones were established individually based on their heart rate measured with an incremental running test. Their programme was polarized to elicit positive changes in aerobic capacity and running performance in a 2400 m test. Their physiological parameters (VO2max, HR, respiratory compensation threshold) ventilation were measured in an incremental running test. The participants attended most of the training sessions and showed great motivation in their individually set training regime. We observed positive changes in all measured parameters (final treadmill velocity, distance covered on the treadmill, VO2max, the velocity at RCT) in an incremental test and better performance on the 2400 m run. A modified TRIMP concept in an eight-week running programme is a valid method in prescribing training to recreationally active female runners. It elicits positive changes in performance and supports well-being and health.