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Nutrients
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Energy Deficiency and Nutritional Supplementation in Sports and Exercise
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Energy Deficiency and Nutritional Supplementation in Sports and Exercise

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Sports Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 March 2026 | Viewed by 4219

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Anatoli Petridou

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Evaluation of Human Biological Performance, School of Physical Education and Sport Science at Thessaloniki, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Interests: exercise biochemistry; exercise metabolism; sports nutrition; lipid metabolism
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Energy deficiency in sports and exercise, characterized by an imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure, can adversely affect athletes' health and performance. The Female Athlete Triad—a condition that includes low energy availability, menstrual dysfunction, and decreased bone mineral density—is a common consequence of energy deficiency in female athletes. However, the broader concept of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sports (RED-S) extends beyond females, affecting both male and female athletes, encompassing a range of negative effects on physiological health and performance. Managing energy deficiencies through proper sport nutrition is crucial but often challenging, especially in sports where body weight is a critical factor, such as rhythmic gymnastics, weight-class sports, and sports involving jumping events. As a result, many athletes turn to nutritional supplements to optimize health, enhance performance, and support recovery. A personalized approach that considers the athlete's specific needs, sport type, and training demands is essential to prevent or mitigate the effects of RED-S and promote long-term athletic success.

This Special Issue aims to collect high-quality research articles that delve into the vital topic of energy deficiency and nutritional supplementation in sports and exercise. We welcome both original research articles and review papers that address these critical issues

I look forward to receiving your contributions. 

Dr. Anatoli Petridou
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nutrients is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • energy deficiency
  • nutritional supplementation
  • female athlete triad
  • relative energy deficiency in sports (RED-S)
  • athletic performance
  • energy availability
  • sport nutrition
  • bone health
  • menstrual dysfunction

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

23 pages, 1026 KiB  
Article
Systemic Factors Fuel Food Insecurity Among Collegiate Student-Athletes: Qualitative Findings from the Running on Empty Study
by Barbara Gordon, Natalie Christensen and Jenifer Reader
Nutrients 2025, 17(14), 2254; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17142254 - 8 Jul 2025
Viewed by 344
Abstract
Collegiate student-athletes are particularly vulnerable to food insecurity (FI). Prevalence rates range from 9.9% to 65%, although research is limited among this population. Background/Objectives: The challenge of balancing academic and degree progression requirements with training and competition demands can increase the risk for [...] Read more.
Collegiate student-athletes are particularly vulnerable to food insecurity (FI). Prevalence rates range from 9.9% to 65%, although research is limited among this population. Background/Objectives: The challenge of balancing academic and degree progression requirements with training and competition demands can increase the risk for FI among student-athletes. Furthermore, insufficient funds for food has been reported for student-athletes living both on campus and off campus. Methods: This qualitative study employed a phenomenological design and constructivist theoretical framework to explore the experiences of athletic trainers, sports dietitians/nutritionists, and other professionals working with student-athletes in identifying and addressing FI among student-athletes via a series of online focus groups. Results: Participants (n = 27, 12 public colleges) had ≥7 years of collegiate athletics work experience, and most had been in their current position for <3 years. Five approaches to FI screening emerged; specifically, no screening, screening varies by team/sport, informal screening, dietitian screening, and formal screening. Emerging social determinants of FI included financial challenges, competing priorities, cultural/societal impacts, limited life skills, and the food environment. All these factors precipitated on a systems level, including individual, team/athletic department, and university/societal tiers. Conclusions: Athletic department and university policies and budgetary decisions emerged as potential antagonists of food security among student-athletes. FI mitigation strategies for student-athletes must go beyond simply addressing individual factors. Obtainment of food security among collegiate student-athletes requires system changes at the team/athletic department and university tiers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Deficiency and Nutritional Supplementation in Sports and Exercise)
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17 pages, 3389 KiB  
Article
A Preliminary Study of Nutrients Related to the Risk of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) in Top-Performing Female Amateur Triathletes: Results from a Nutritional Assessment
by Dorota Langa, Marta Naczyk, Robert K. Szymczak, Joanna Karbowska and Zdzislaw Kochan
Nutrients 2025, 17(2), 208; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17020208 - 7 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3378
Abstract
Background/Objectives: As an endurance multi-sport race, triathlon places significant energy demands on athletes during performance and training. Insufficient energy intake from food can lead to low energy availability (LEA) and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S). We aimed to measure symptoms related to [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: As an endurance multi-sport race, triathlon places significant energy demands on athletes during performance and training. Insufficient energy intake from food can lead to low energy availability (LEA) and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S). We aimed to measure symptoms related to LEA, examine the risk of RED-S, and find how diet relates to the risk of RED-S in highly trained female amateur triathletes. Methods: Our sample was 20 top-performing female triathletes competing in Quarter Ironman (IM), Half IM, IM, or Double IM triathlons for 5.5 ± 2.5 y who were during the preparatory phase of training (training load 11 ± 3.76 h/week, a single workout 84 ± 25 min). Triathletes completed 3-day food diaries, training diaries, and the Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire (LEAF-Q). Exercise energy expenditure was estimated using wrist-worn activity trackers. To examine dietary patterns related to the first signs of LEA, predating RED-S, we created two groups: the L-LEA group (LEAF-Q score 0–5, no symptoms related to LEA, low risk of RED-S, n = 10) and the H-LEA group (LEAF-Q ≥ 6, at least one LEA-related symptom, high risk of RED-S, n = 10). Results: The risk of RED-S was prevalent in 30% of female triathletes, and 50% showed at least one symptom related to LEA. Macronutrient intake was similar in all participants, but triathletes from the H-LEA group tended to eat more plant-sourced protein and fiber. They consumed less saturated fatty acids but ingested more significant amounts of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAn6). Conclusions: We conclude that foods higher in plant proteins, fiber, and PUFAn6 might predispose female triathletes to LEA by reducing the diet’s energy density. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Deficiency and Nutritional Supplementation in Sports and Exercise)
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