The whole-body and skeletal muscle metabolic response to 14 days of highly controlled low energy availability in endurance-trained females

This study investigated the effects of 14 days low energy availability (LEA) versus optimal energy availability (OEA) in endurance-trained females on substrate utilization, insulin sensitivity, and skeletal muscle mitochondrial oxidative capacity; and the impact of metabolic changes on exercise performance. Twelve endurance-trained females (VO2max 55.2 +/- 5.1 mL x min(-1) x kg(-1)) completed two 14-day randomized, blinded, cross-over, controlled dietary interventions: (1) OEA (51.9 +/- 2.0 kcal x kg fat-free mass (FFM)(-1) x day(-1)) and (2) LEA (22.3 +/- 1.5 kcal x kg FFM-1 x day(-1)), followed by 3 days OEA. Participants maintained their exercise training volume during both interventions (approx. 8 h x week(-1) at 79% heart rate max). Skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiratory capacity, glycogen, and maximal activity of CS, HAD, and PFK were unaltered with LEA. 20-min time trial endurance performance was impaired by 7.8% (Delta -16.8 W, 95% CI: -23.3 to -10.4, p < .001) which persisted following 3 days refueling post-LEA (p < .001). Fat utilization was increased post-LEA as evidenced by: (1) 99.4% (p < .001) increase in resting plasma free fatty acids (FFA); (2) 270% (p = .007) larger reduction in FFA in response to acute exercise; and (3) 28.2% (p = .015) increase in resting fat oxidation which persisted during submaximal exercise (p < .001). These responses were reversed with 3 days refueling. Daily glucose control (via CGM), HOMA-IR, HOMA-beta, were unaffected by LEA. Skeletal muscle O-2 utilization and carbohydrate availability were not limiting factors for aerobic exercise capacity and performance; therefore, whether LEA per se affects aspects of training quality/recovery requires investigation.