Athletes push their bodies to the limit, but what happens when they don't fuel them right? Low energy availability, or LEA, occurs when athletes don't consume enough calories to match their energy output. This imbalance can lead to health issues. One way to check for LEA is by looking at the resting metabolic rate ratio (RMRratio). This ratio compares an athlete's me...

Did you know what elite teen rugby players eat in a week? A recent study took a close look at their energy needs, what they burn, and how their meals measure up to sports nutrition guidelines. This wasn't just about fueling their awesome performances, but also about keeping them healthy and helping them recover. The team focused on national-level players, tracking th...

Bodybuilding competitions demand extreme leanness, achieved through strict dieting and intense training. Let's explore the journey of a drug-free bodybuilder who prepared for a contest over 18 weeks. They adopted evidence-based nutrition and tracked various health indicators, including hormone levels, resting energy expenditure, body composition, and mood. During thi...

Ever wondered how low energy intake affects male athletes? A recent study dived into this topic, focusing on how not having enough energy impacts various performance outcomes. The researchers also looked into whether there's a direct relationship between the level of energy intake and performance, and they identified areas where more research is needed. First, let's...