Background: Low energy availability (LEA) is a major problem as athletes often restrict their energy intake. It has been shown that LEA occurs often in female and endurance athletes and in athletes from weight-sensitive or aesthetic sports. The purpose of this study was to investigate energy availability (EA) in elite wheelchair athletes.
Methods: Fourteen elite wheelchair athletes (8 males; 6 females) participated. Data were collected using a weighed seven-day food and training diary to estimate energy intake and exercise energy expenditure. Resting energy expenditure and body composition were measured, whereas energy balance (EB) was calculated.
Results: Measured over 7 days, EA was significantly different (36.1 ± 6.7 kcal kg-1 FFM day-1) in male compared to female (25.1 ± 7.1 kcal kg-1 FFM day-1) athletes (p < 0.001). From all analyzed days, LEA occurred in 73% of the days in female athletes and in 30% of the days in male athletes. EB was positive in male athletes (+169.1 ± 304.5 kcal) and negative (-288.9 ± 304.8 kcal) in female athletes.
Conclusions: A higher prevalence of LEA was found in female compared to male athletes. A higher energy intake would be recommended to meet energy needs and to maximize training adaptation.
Keywords: RED-S; energy availability; female athlete triad; macronutrient intake; paralympic; resting energy expenditure; spinal cord injury; sports nutrition; wheelchair athlete.