Unique Health Issues for Female Athletes The Biggest Issue: Low Energy Availability

“Losing Weight Will Make Me Strong and Beautiful!”
This Myth Is Hurting Female Athletes

Many young athletes believe that if they lose weight, their athletic performance will improve. But if they become obsessed with slimming, they could end up suffering from low energy availability.

Energy availability is calculated by subtracting exercise energy expenditure from energy intake, then dividing by fat-free mass. In other words, this number refers to the energy available for maintaining physical function.

In order to train hard, you need to be taking in more energy from your food than is required for your physical activity.

If you are restricting or reducing how much you eat, or if you are eating well yet your intake cannot keep up with the amount of exercise you are doing, you will be in a state of low energy availability.

If this situation continues, it will have negative effects on both your mental and physical health, and will also reduce your sports performance. Not unique to women, this issue can also affect men.

Calculate your BMI or standard body weight using the information below.