Low Energy Availability

When energy intake is less than the energy needed by the body, an energy deficit is created and there is a low energy availability.

If this is done in a controlled, nutritionally planned manner, for a performance goal, this will result in a safe and effective reduction in body mass.

However, if this is done inadvertently, over prolonged periods, without appropriate nutrition planning, this will result in low energy availability & compromised diet quality, which can have several potentially serious health and performance implications.

There are three main situations where low energy availability may arise: 1 - Inadvertent: an increase in training volume/intensity without dietary adjustments and/or unintentional reduction in energy intake e.g. loss of appetite or awareness of energy requirements.