Inducing low energy availability in trained endurance male athletes results in poorer explosive power
Open accessAbstract
Purpose: Low energy availability in males needs more original research to understand its health and performance consequences. The aim of the study was to induce low energy availability in previously healthy male endurance athletes by reducing energy availability by 25% for 14 consecutive days and measure any potential changes in performance, health, mental state or energy markers. Methods: Energy availability was reduced in 12 trained, well-trained and elite endurance athletes by increasing energy expenditure and controlling energy intake. After intervention, health was assessed by blood draw, body composition was measured, energy markers by measuring resting energy expenditure, performance with three specific tests (measuring endurance, agility and explosive power) and two questionnaires were used for psychological assessment (the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire and Well-being questionnaire). Results: Reduced energy availability (22.4 ± 6.3 kcal/kg FFM/day) caused significantly lower haemoglobin values (t(12) = 2.652, p = 0.022), there was a tendency for lower iron and IGF-1 (p = 0.066 and p = 0.077, respectively). Explosive power was reduced (t(12) = 4.570, p = 0.001), lactate metabolism was altered and athletes reported poorer well-being (t(12) = 2.385, p = 0.036). Cognitive restriction was correlated with energy availability (r = 0.528, p = 0.039). Conclusion: This is the first research providing direct evidence that suboptimal energy availability negatively impacts explosive power before hormonal changes occur in male endurance athletes. It is also the first to show direct association of low energy availability and higher cognitive restriction. We also observed worse well-being and lower haemoglobin values. 25% of energy availability reduction as not enough to elicit changes in resting energy expenditure.
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Jurov et al. subsequent study induced LEA in 12 well-trained male athletes by decreasing energy availability by 25% relative to baseline over two weeks, and found no changes in VO2 max, peak power output, relative power output, or anaerobic threshold after 14 days.
“In a subsequent study, Jurov et al. induced LEA in 12 well-trained male athletes with no prior evidence of LEA by decreasing energy availability by 25% relative to baseline over two weeks.Again, they found no changes in VO2 max, peak power output, relative power output, or anaerobic threshold after 14 days of induced LEA.”
From Low Energy Availability and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (2025) · cites this paper as [84]
Jurov et al. subsequent study found a significant decrease in explosive power, with reduced vertical jump performance by 1.5-4.4 cm (p = 0.001).
“However, they did find a significant decrease in explosive power, as athletes had reduced vertical jump performance by 1.5-4.4cm (p = 0.001) [84].”
From Low Energy Availability and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (2025) · cites this paper as [84]
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- Authors
- Jurov, I., Keay, N., Spudić, D., & Rauter, S.
- Affiliations
- University of Ljubljana (SI)
- Durham University (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Jurov, Iva
- Venue
- European Journal of Applied Physiology
- Published
- 2021-11-26
- Volume
- 122
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 503-513
- ISSN
- 0020-9376 (ISSN-L)
- 1439-6319
- 1439-6327
- PMC
- PMC8617370
- OpenAlex
- W3217141952
- Cited by
- 34
- References
- 28
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 3
- FWCI
- 5.17
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Locations
- European Journal of Applied Physiology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Durham Research Online (Durham University) (publishedVersion, other-oa)
- Durham Research Online (Durham University) (acceptedVersion)
- Durham Research Online (Durham University) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Funders
- Javna Agencija za Raziskovalno Dejavnost RS (P5-0147)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
- Keywords
- energy availability, endurance athletes, explosive power, caloric restriction, male athletes, hemoglobin, iron, insulin-like growth factor I, lactate metabolism, well-being, cognitive restriction, eating behaviour, resting energy expenditure, body composition
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Body Composition, Energy Intake, Energy Metabolism, Humans, Male, Physical Endurance, Biomarkers, Athletic Performance
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