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Determining the Contribution of the Energy Systems During Exercise
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Published on: March 20, 2012

Relationship between energy availability and phenotype in free-living athletes.

Marcos Rueda-Córdoba1, Juan J Martin-Olmedo2, Sergio Espinar3

  • 1University of Granada, Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sports Science, Sport and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), Granada, Spain, Granada.

International Journal of Sports Medicine
|May 26, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Athletes with low energy availability (LEA) surprisingly showed better bone health markers. LEA was linked to lower carbohydrate intake, but not other performance factors, suggesting complex influences on athletic health.

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Area of Science:

  • Sports Science
  • Exercise Physiology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Energy availability (EA) is crucial for athletic performance and health.
  • Low energy availability (LEA) is often associated with negative health outcomes in athletes.
  • The impact of LEA on various physiological markers in free-living athletes requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of EA on body composition, dietary intake, sleep quality, and well-being in Spanish athletes.
  • To examine the relationship between LEA and bone-related markers, macronutrient intake, and subjective health indicators.
  • To understand the complex interplay of factors influencing EA in athletic populations.

Main Methods:

  • Inclusion of 75 elite and pre-elite Spanish athletes across diverse sports.
  • Assessment of body composition using DXA, bioimpedance, and anthropometry.
  • Evaluation of dietary intake via recalls and FFQs, sleep quality via accelerometry, and well-being through validated questionnaires.

Main Results:

  • Athletes with LEA exhibited higher bone mineral content, density, and Z-scores than adequate EA counterparts (P<0.05).
  • LEA athletes had higher protein intake but lower carbohydrate consumption compared to adequate EA athletes (P<0.05).
  • No significant associations were found between EA and other body composition metrics, sleep quality, or subjective well-being (P>0.05).

Conclusions:

  • Contrary to hypotheses, LEA was associated with improved bone health markers in this cohort.
  • Dietary patterns in LEA athletes indicate higher protein and lower carbohydrate intake.
  • Holistic factors beyond nutritional status, including metabolic adaptations and behavior, influence EA's impact on athletes.