Athletes who do not consume enough energy to meet their training demands have a higher rate of injury compared to those who do.
Strongly supported
Multiple high-quality studies back this claim.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional.
Athletes who do not consume enough energy to meet their training demands have a higher rate of injury compared to those who do.
See the technical phrasing
Relative energy deficiency in athletes is associated with an increased risk of injury.
When athletes don't consume enough calories to match their training, their bodies produce more damaging molecules called reactive oxygen species, weaken their immune defenses, and reduce muscle strength and recovery. This makes muscles fatigue faster, move poorly, and fail to protect bones and tendons during movement, leading to tears, strains, and fractures.
What the research says
Supports
3 studies
Study: Low energy availability increases immune cell formation of reactive oxygen species and impairs exercise performance in female endurance athletes
This study provides evidence supporting the claim.
Contradicts
0 studies
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 3 supporting studies