24-hr low energy availability (via diet or exercise) differentially affects sleep and recovery 🪫
Diet- and exercise-induced LEA are not the same.
Twenty-Four-Hour Low Energy Availability Induced by Diet or Exercise Exhibits Divergent Influences on Sleep and Recovery Indices among Female and Male Cyclists
Study Details
This new study recruited 20 endurance athletes who undertook 5 x 24-hr periods of energy availability manipulation…
1️⃣ 24-hr low EA (15 kcal/kg) - with exercise (LEA-EX)🪫🏃
2️⃣ 24-hr low EA (15 kcal/kg) - without exercise (LEA-REST)🪫🍽️
3️⃣ 24-hr high EA (45 kcal/kg) - with exercise (HEA-EX) 🔋🏃
4️⃣ 24-hr high EA (45 kcal/kg) - without exercise (HEA-REST)🔋🍽️
5️⃣ 24-hr excess EA (75 kcal/kg) - without exercise (GEA) 🔋📈
Sleep and overnight HRV were analysed following each condition 🔍
Key Findings
⏰ Total sleep duration was extended by 53-61 min following LEA with exercise versus non-exercise conditions
🛌 Plus time in bed was extended with LEA-EX vs GEA and HEA-REST
💤 Sleep onset latency increased by 8 min following LEA-REST compared with GEA
🫀 There was no difference in overnight HRV following the 24-h EA manipulation
📉 However, mean overnight HR was significantly lower following resting conditions vs exercise conditions and GEA
Conclusion
Exercise-induced LEA extends sleep time ⏰
Whereas, diet-induced LEA reduces overnight heart rate 📉
The manner of LEA differentially affects recovery and sleep and therefore strategies supporting these areas may need to change accordingly ✅
Reference
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40523229/
Performance Nutrition Digest is powered by Healthspan Elite ⚡️
Healthspan Elite is a science-led sports nutrition range developed in collaboration with leading experts to support athletic performance, recovery, and health.
Use code: TCDIGEST25 for 25% off at https://www.healthspanelite.co.uk/ 💪