I am really glad to see that more studies are looking in depth at this issue and Brady, you are correct that long term studies and, I will add, monitoring, need to be done to fully elucidate trend of "Low Energy Availability". Coming from a metabolic perspective I view LEA as a very complex, individualized, contextual and dynamic paradigm. Unfortunately the current sport science has become so hyper focused around high carbohydrate dieting and fueling it has created a self-prophecy that supports a narrative over a discussion. Similarly, the keto/LC Camp won't admit that carbohydrates are necessary for performance (and I would submit that Carbs are necessary for optimal fat oxidation and metabolic performance, just not at the levels elite athletes are currently pushing). What is needed is a balance and a much broader examination of the factors going into LEA. We also need to examine how LEA develops which is, most often, a result of chronically consuming too many carbohydrates in the diet and fueling over time. I've worked with enough athletes at all levels to observe the current discussions on LEA are oversimplified and static with the simple answer most often being more CHO, more often in and out of physical activity. Usually there are a number of underlying metabolic shifts that precede LEA.
Excess adiposity lowers testosterone but so does an energy deficit. Humans are tricky!
Wrong but useful beats right but paralyzing. Enjoyed this one!
I am really glad to see that more studies are looking in depth at this issue and Brady, you are correct that long term studies and, I will add, monitoring, need to be done to fully elucidate trend of "Low Energy Availability". Coming from a metabolic perspective I view LEA as a very complex, individualized, contextual and dynamic paradigm. Unfortunately the current sport science has become so hyper focused around high carbohydrate dieting and fueling it has created a self-prophecy that supports a narrative over a discussion. Similarly, the keto/LC Camp won't admit that carbohydrates are necessary for performance (and I would submit that Carbs are necessary for optimal fat oxidation and metabolic performance, just not at the levels elite athletes are currently pushing). What is needed is a balance and a much broader examination of the factors going into LEA. We also need to examine how LEA develops which is, most often, a result of chronically consuming too many carbohydrates in the diet and fueling over time. I've worked with enough athletes at all levels to observe the current discussions on LEA are oversimplified and static with the simple answer most often being more CHO, more often in and out of physical activity. Usually there are a number of underlying metabolic shifts that precede LEA.
The only time I see people talking about especially high carb intake is during long events not as a normal part of their diet.