{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "FAQPage",
  "@id": "https://scienceinsport.com/blogs/nutrition/female-athlete-energy-availability#faq",
  "mainEntity": [
    {
      "@type": "Question",
      "name": "What is energy availability for female athletes?",
      "acceptedAnswer": {
        "@type": "Answer",
        "text": "Energy availability is the energy left to support your body's essential functions after the energy cost of training is met. If you consistently take in too little to cover both training and basic needs, energy availability is low, and it is your essential functions that lose out."
      }
    },
    {
      "@type": "Question",
      "name": "Why is low energy availability harmful?",
      "acceptedAnswer": {
        "@type": "Answer",
        "text": "Consistently low energy availability can disrupt hormonal function, affect bone health, impair recovery, weaken immunity and harm performance. In female athletes it is associated with menstrual cycle disruption, an important warning sign that intake is inadequate relative to output."
      }
    },
    {
      "@type": "Question",
      "name": "How does under-fuelling happen to athletes?",
      "acceptedAnswer": {
        "@type": "Answer",
        "text": "Often inadvertently, not deliberately. It can arise from increasing training without increasing intake, a busy life crowding out eating, or underestimating training's energy cost. Many athletes run at a chronic deficit without realising, as the gap creeps in gradually."
      }
    },
    {
      "@type": "Question",
      "name": "What are the signs of low energy availability?",
      "acceptedAnswer": {
        "@type": "Answer",
        "text": "Warning signs include menstrual cycle disruption, persistent fatigue, frequent illness or injury, and stalling performance despite hard training. Any of these warrants attention and, where appropriate, guidance from a qualified practitioner, as addressing it early is far easier."
      }
    }
  ]
}