The Claim
Female distance runners with a daily energy intake 303 kcal lower and a total fat intake 20 g lower than average have an increased risk of running-related injury.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
Female distance runners who consume 303 fewer calories and 20 fewer grams of fat per day than average are more likely to sustain running-related injuries.
See the scientific wording
Female distance runners with lower daily energy intake (by an average of 303 kcal/day) and lower total fat intake (by an average of 20 g/day) have an increased risk of running-related injury, based on moderate-certainty evidence from a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies involving 2,364 female runners.
When female runners eat fewer calories and less fat, their bodies make less of the hormones needed to rebuild bones and repair muscles after running. This causes bones to weaken and muscles to recover slower, making them more likely to break or tear during training.
What the research says
1 studyFemale runners who eat fewer calories and less fat each day are more likely to get injured while running, and this study found strong evidence supporting that link by comparing hundreds of runners over time.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.