Even if female athletes eat enough protein, not eating enough total calories can still stop their muscles from getting stronger or recovering properly during training.

When female athletes don't eat enough to cover both their workouts and basic body needs, their muscles stop building protein as well, which could make them weaker or slower to recover.

When female athletes don't eat enough, their bodies start breaking down muscle, slow down their metabolism, and reduce key hormones that help build and maintain muscle.

When overweight women after menopause lose a moderate amount of weight, their muscles start making more protein—even if they don’t lift weights—because their body is trying to use food more efficiently after eating less.