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Updated: Jul 4, 2025
06:28
A Chronic High-Intensity Interval Training and Diet-Induced Obesity Model to Maximize Exercise Effort and Induce Physiologic Changes in Rats
Published on: April 28, 2023
844
Low Energy Availability, Disordered Eating, Exercise Dependence, and Fueling Strategies in Trail Runners.
Keely Henninger1, Kelly Pritchett2, Namrita Kumar Brooke3
1Professional Trail Runner and Independent Scientist, Portland, OR, USA.
International Journal of Exercise Science
|January 30, 2024
Summary
Low energy availability (LEA) risk is high in endurance runners, alongside disordered eating and exercise dependence. Insufficient carbohydrate intake during prolonged events exacerbates these risks, highlighting the need for better fueling strategies.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Exercise Physiology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Underfueling, disordered eating (DE), exercise dependence (EXD), and high training loads relative to energy intake are potential risk factors for low energy availability (LEA) in endurance athletes.
- LEA is a critical concern in endurance sports, potentially leading to adverse health consequences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of LEA risk among endurance runners.
- To investigate the relationship between LEA risk and the risk of DE, EXD, and fueling practices during training and competition.
Main Methods:
- A survey was administered to 1,899 trail runners (ages 18-40).
- The survey included questions on training/racing characteristics, carbohydrate intake, and validated questionnaires: LEAF-Q (Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire), DESA-6 (Disordered Eating Screen for Athletes), and EDS-21 (Exercise Dependence Scale-21).
Main Results:
- 43% of runners were identified as being at risk for LEA, 43% for DE, and 87.3% reported symptoms of EXD.
- LEA risk showed positive correlations with EXD (r = 0.33) and DE (r = 0.29).
- 47.6% of athletes consumed less than recommended carbohydrates during endurance events >2.5 hours; females at risk for LEA were less likely to fuel sufficiently.
Conclusions:
- The risk of LEA, DE, and EXD is notably high in the studied population of endurance runners.
- Emphasis on meeting carbohydrate recommendations during training and competition is crucial for mitigating negative health outcomes associated with LEA.
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