The Claim

In 86% of studies investigating training-overload or overtraining syndrome, reduced energy availability or carbohydrate availability is observed during the overload period, indicating that insufficient fueling is commonly present when overtraining syndrome symptoms emerge.

Source: Overtraining Syndrome (OTS) and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S): Shared Pathways, Symptoms and Complexities

What the research says

Roughly balanced

Support and challenge are close. The picture may shift as more studies come in.

Supports
1score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

Correlation
1 study reviewed
In plain English

Most studies show that when athletes push too hard and start showing signs of overtraining, they're often not eating enough calories or carbs to fuel their bodies.

See the scientific wording

In 86% of studies examining training-overload or overtraining syndrome, there is evidence of reduced energy availability or carbohydrate availability during the overload period, suggesting that low fueling is commonly present when OTS symptoms develop.

What the research says

1 study

  1. Study: Overtraining Syndrome (OTS) and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S): Shared Pathways, Symptoms and Complexities

    The study looked at other research on overtraining and found that in 86% of them, athletes weren’t eating enough to fuel their training, which matches the claim.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

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