Nutritional practices associated with low energy availability in Division I female soccer players

The purpose of this study was to examine macronutrient intake, energy density and energy intake distribution that may be associated with low energy availability (EA) in Division I female soccer players. The energy intake, exercise energy expenditure and EA of 19 participants (18-21 years) was assessed during the pre-, mid- and postseasons. Repeated measures analysis of variance was performed to examine the changes across the season. Chi-square analysis was performed to examine the distribution of participants meeting the American College of Sports Medicine recommendations for carbohydrate and protein consumption. Independent t-tests were used to compare differences between groups. The proportion of athletes who did not meet the American College of Sports Medicine recommendations for carbohydrate intake (6-10 g center dot kg(-1) BW) was significantly greater in the low (<30 kcal center dot kg(-1) LBM) than higher (>= 30 kcal center dot kg(-1) LBM) EA group (chi(2) (1) = 7.5; P = 0.006). Participants with low compared to higher EA consumed a lower energy dense dinner (0.8 +/- 0.1 vs. 1.4 +/- 0.1 kcal center dot g(-1); P = 0.004) after a soccer match during midseason. No differences in the percentage (%) of kilocalories from food (84.5 +/- 2.0% vs. 84.7 +/- 2.6%), sports drinks (7.3 +/- 1.4% vs. 6.0 +/- 3.2%), other drinks (7.6 +/- 1.5 % vs. 6.0 +/- 1.5%) or bars/gels/beans (1.7 +/- 0.6 vs. 3.0 +/- 1.5) were observed in participants with low compared to higher EA (P > 0.05) during the pre- and midseasons. Identifying inadequate carbohydrate intake and the practice of consuming lower energy dense meals may be important in preventing low EA conditions and consequently the Female Athlete Triad.