Body weight/composition has always been one of the main concerns of any endurance athlete, male or female. Being leaner and lighter is often associated with improved performance, especially in running.The “Female Athlete Triad”, encompassing one or more manifestations of restrained eating, menstrual dysfunction and poor bone health is relatively common among female endurance athletes with varying degrees of severity.
Many female athletes, most often unknowingly, fail to obtain appropriate energy intake and will function in a low energy state. Low energy availability – when energy intake is too low to meet the body’s energy need due to increasing demand from heavy training schedule coupled with restrictive eating or poor nutrition recovery often leads to a significant negative energy balance.
A significant negative energy balance becomes of concern when it affects health and performance.
Reduction in metabolic rate, increase risk of illness and injury (which in severe cases often leads to hormonal imbalances), menstrual dysfunction and suboptimal bone health are some of the negative consequences of chronic energy deficit.
Continue reading “Nutrition Recommendation for Female Endurance Runners”