Tag: Relative energy deficiency in sport

According to one meta-analysis, up to 45% of athletes experience low energy availability, or undereating. This creates a serious metabolic mismatch: the body is not taking in enough calories to cover energy expenditure from intense workouts and daily life. So, what happens if you train hard but don't eat enough? The consequences can severely impact your health and athletic performance.

According to a 2024 study in *Redox Biology*, athletes who intentionally underfueled saw a significant drop in performance and an increase in systemic stress hormones. This demonstrates that if you train hard without eating, you are actively undermining your health and fitness goals, triggering a cascade of negative physiological and psychological effects.

According to a study of Boston Marathon runners, 42% of female and 18% of male runners showed indicators of Low Energy Availability (LEA). This phenomenon can lead to serious health issues, so it's crucial to understand what happens if you run without eating enough and how to avoid underfueling your training.

According to research cited by InsideTracker, persistent underfueling can lead to Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) in both men and women, affecting metabolic rate, bone health, and immunity. Recognizing the symptoms of underfueling is crucial for maintaining optimal health and performance for anyone with an active lifestyle.

According to a meta-analysis, about 45 percent of athletes experience low energy availability, or underfueling, which can significantly jeopardize both their health and athletic performance. When runners don't eat enough, their bodies cannot meet the high energy demands of training, leading to serious consequences beyond simply feeling tired.

Chronic over-exercising combined with insufficient nutrition can trigger a complex condition known as Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S), affecting both physical and mental health. When you consistently push your body without providing adequate fuel, what happens if you workout too much and don't eat enough becomes a critical question for anyone focused on their health and fitness.

According to the International Olympic Committee, RED-S can affect male and female athletes across all levels, highlighting the widespread risk of energy imbalance. This condition, once known as the Female Athlete Triad, results from insufficient energy intake to fuel daily life and exercise.

According to the International Olympic Committee, Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) can affect athletes of any gender, age, or ability level, regardless of their body size. The answer to "Do you have to be underweight to have RED-S?" is a definitive no, as the syndrome is caused by a caloric deficit relative to exercise demands, not by low body weight itself.

According to the World Health Organization, undernutrition is linked to nearly half of all deaths in children under five globally. This staggering statistic underscores the severity of conditions caused by insufficient energy intake, which manifest in various and often life-threatening diseases.

According to the International Olympic Committee, the underlying cause of RED-S is low energy availability, which occurs when an athlete's energy intake from food is insufficient to support the energy they expend during exercise and daily life. This energy mismatch forces the body to conserve fuel, leading to a cascade of negative health and performance consequences.