Low Energy Availability (LEA): How It Affects Your Well-Being
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Low Energy Availability (LEA): How It Affects Your Well-Being

Low energy availability (LEA) is a state in which the amount of energy taken in from food is not sufficient to support normal physiological functioning, including menstrual function, bone health, and immune system function. This can occur when the energy intake is low relative to the amount of energy expended during physical activity and other…

Health and Performance Goals Trump Body Weight for Endurance Athletes
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Health and Performance Goals Trump Body Weight for Endurance Athletes

While some endurance sports, such as distance running or cycling, may benefit from a higher power-to-weight ratio, there is no single “ideal” body weight or body fat percentage for all endurance athletes. While endurance athletes typically have lower body fat percentages and higher muscle mass compared to the general population, their body weight may fluctuate…

Pre-Training Nutrition

Pre-Training Nutrition

Pre-training nutrition is essential for optimizing performance and recovery during exercise. Here are some important things to consider: Overall, pre-training nutrition strategies should focus on hydrating the body, providing adequate carbohydrates and protein, and timing meals appropriately. What are some good pre-training snacks? Choosing the right pre-training snacks can help fuel your body and optimize…

Keto & Endurance Performance

Keto & Endurance Performance

Low-carb/high-fat diets like the keto diet are a popular dietary approach for weight loss and health improvement. This interest has leaked over into the elite athlete community. Especially since some early studies have renewed intrigue around potential benefits of very low-carb, high-fat diets (PMID: 31713719). Endurance exercise is prolonged activity sustained at a moderate-to-vigorous intensity….

Are BCAA’s Worth It?

Are BCAA’s Worth It?

Research has been highly mixed in relation to BCAA’s. Before you take off running toward the nearest supplement store, there is an issue that needs to be addressed: I’ll use an analogy to describe the crucial issue with BCAA’s: Just because we have the ability to turn the light switch on, doesn’t mean that the…

Is Protein Timing After Training Essential for Muscle Growth?

Is Protein Timing After Training Essential for Muscle Growth?

Many of us were taught that the post-workout timing of protein was essential! And we made sure that we had that protein powder shake immediately after we finished. However, studies have shown that we may not need to worry about it as much after all. What is protein? Amino acids are the building blocks of…

Pre-Workout Nutrition Strategies

Pre-Workout Nutrition Strategies

The weather is getting nicer and many of us have started training again! Here are some of my favourite pre-workout nutrition strategies. What are the priorities? Performance – Completing workout as planned, meeting all reps and load targets Adaptation – Increasing strength, power, endurance, stamina, size, etc. Injury Prevention – Avoiding nutrition-related injuries, excessive fatigue…