The impact of low energy availability risk on pre-competition physiological function in Chinese female combat athletes
Background Low energy availability (LEA) can negatively impact athletes’ physiological function and performance. This study aims to examine the prevalence of LEA in Chinese female combat athletes and monitor changes in physiological function and performance during the pre-competition period.Method W...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/15502783.2025.2490170 |
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| author | Yiheng Liang Yuxuan Li Yan Chen Kun Meng Fanyang Zhou Yiran Pei Yong Liu Junqiang Qiu |
| author_facet | Yiheng Liang Yuxuan Li Yan Chen Kun Meng Fanyang Zhou Yiran Pei Yong Liu Junqiang Qiu |
| author_sort | Yiheng Liang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background Low energy availability (LEA) can negatively impact athletes’ physiological function and performance. This study aims to examine the prevalence of LEA in Chinese female combat athletes and monitor changes in physiological function and performance during the pre-competition period.Method We assessed the incidence of low energy availability (LEA) and eating disorder (ED) risks in 84 female combat athletes (judo, freestyle wrestling, and sanda) from Beijing using the Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire (LEAF-Q) and the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q). From this group, 11 judo athletes who were preparing for competition were selected and divided into a low energy availability (LEA) group and a non-LEA group based on their energy availability levels. Dietary intake, training energy expenditure, body composition, resting metabolic rate, blood markers, and special judo fitness tests were monitored at 4 weeks, 2 weeks, and 0 weeks before the competition.Results Among the 84 athletes, 45.2% of athletes (n = 38) were at increased risk of LEA, and 21.4% of athletes (n = 18) were classified as high in eating disorder risk. There were no significant differences in LEA and ED risk between elite and recreational athletes. Among the 11 athletes preparing for competition, 6 athletes (45.5%) were in a state of LEA at the initial stage (4 weeks before the competition), and by the competition week, all 11 athletes exhibited LEA. Additionally, athletes in the LEA group experienced significant reductions in VO2 and resting metabolic rate at 0 week of the competition compared to 4 weeks prior (p < 0.05). Thyroid function indicators and IGF-1 levels of LEA group also significantly decreased (p < 0.05). After completing the four-week pre-competition weight loss, heart rate recovery during the special judo fitness test improved significantly in both the LEA and non-LEA groups (p < 0.05).Conclusion The current study identified a risk of LEA among Chinese female combat sport athletes, with no significant difference in the prevalence of LEA between elite and recreational athletes. It is essential for Chinese coaches and sports medicine staff to implement LEA-related nutritional education across all performance levels. Moreover, preventive measures during training are recommended to mitigate the impact of LEA on physiological function during the pre-competition weight loss phase. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1146e709a6cd4ca2a99dc3bc409fd130 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1550-2783 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj-art-1146e709a6cd4ca2a99dc3bc409fd1302025-08-20T02:27:06ZengTaylor & Francis GroupJournal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition1550-27832025-12-0122110.1080/15502783.2025.2490170The impact of low energy availability risk on pre-competition physiological function in Chinese female combat athletesYiheng Liang0Yuxuan Li1Yan Chen2Kun Meng3Fanyang Zhou4Yiran Pei5Yong Liu6Junqiang Qiu7Beijing Sport University, Department of Exercise Biochemistry, Exercise Science School, ChinaBeijing Sport University, Department of Exercise Biochemistry, Exercise Science School, ChinaBeijing Sport University, Department of Exercise Biochemistry, Exercise Science School, ChinaBeijing Sport University, Department of Exercise Biochemistry, Exercise Science School, ChinaBeijing Research Institute of Sports Science, Beijing, ChinaBeijing Research Institute of Sports Science, Beijing, ChinaBeijing Research Institute of Sports Science, Beijing, ChinaBeijing Sport University, Department of Exercise Biochemistry, Exercise Science School, ChinaBackground Low energy availability (LEA) can negatively impact athletes’ physiological function and performance. This study aims to examine the prevalence of LEA in Chinese female combat athletes and monitor changes in physiological function and performance during the pre-competition period.Method We assessed the incidence of low energy availability (LEA) and eating disorder (ED) risks in 84 female combat athletes (judo, freestyle wrestling, and sanda) from Beijing using the Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire (LEAF-Q) and the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q). From this group, 11 judo athletes who were preparing for competition were selected and divided into a low energy availability (LEA) group and a non-LEA group based on their energy availability levels. Dietary intake, training energy expenditure, body composition, resting metabolic rate, blood markers, and special judo fitness tests were monitored at 4 weeks, 2 weeks, and 0 weeks before the competition.Results Among the 84 athletes, 45.2% of athletes (n = 38) were at increased risk of LEA, and 21.4% of athletes (n = 18) were classified as high in eating disorder risk. There were no significant differences in LEA and ED risk between elite and recreational athletes. Among the 11 athletes preparing for competition, 6 athletes (45.5%) were in a state of LEA at the initial stage (4 weeks before the competition), and by the competition week, all 11 athletes exhibited LEA. Additionally, athletes in the LEA group experienced significant reductions in VO2 and resting metabolic rate at 0 week of the competition compared to 4 weeks prior (p < 0.05). Thyroid function indicators and IGF-1 levels of LEA group also significantly decreased (p < 0.05). After completing the four-week pre-competition weight loss, heart rate recovery during the special judo fitness test improved significantly in both the LEA and non-LEA groups (p < 0.05).Conclusion The current study identified a risk of LEA among Chinese female combat sport athletes, with no significant difference in the prevalence of LEA between elite and recreational athletes. It is essential for Chinese coaches and sports medicine staff to implement LEA-related nutritional education across all performance levels. Moreover, preventive measures during training are recommended to mitigate the impact of LEA on physiological function during the pre-competition weight loss phase.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/15502783.2025.2490170Low energy availabilityfemale athletescombat athletes |
| spellingShingle | Yiheng Liang Yuxuan Li Yan Chen Kun Meng Fanyang Zhou Yiran Pei Yong Liu Junqiang Qiu The impact of low energy availability risk on pre-competition physiological function in Chinese female combat athletes Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition Low energy availability female athletes combat athletes |
| title | The impact of low energy availability risk on pre-competition physiological function in Chinese female combat athletes |
| title_full | The impact of low energy availability risk on pre-competition physiological function in Chinese female combat athletes |
| title_fullStr | The impact of low energy availability risk on pre-competition physiological function in Chinese female combat athletes |
| title_full_unstemmed | The impact of low energy availability risk on pre-competition physiological function in Chinese female combat athletes |
| title_short | The impact of low energy availability risk on pre-competition physiological function in Chinese female combat athletes |
| title_sort | impact of low energy availability risk on pre competition physiological function in chinese female combat athletes |
| topic | Low energy availability female athletes combat athletes |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/15502783.2025.2490170 |
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