Aim: To highlight energy availability status, resting metabolic rate measures, dietary protein intake, and testosterone concentration in 4 elite male track cycling athletes (mean [SD]: age: 20.8 [1.5] y, body mass: 76.3 [3.6] kg, height: 181.8 [2.9] cm).
Method: A cross-sectional observation included measures of energy availability (energy intake minus exercise energy expenditure, divided by fat-free mass), resting metabolic rate from indirect calorimetry, dietary protein intake from food records, blood analysis to assess sex hormone status, and performance markers.
Results: Midrange testosterone (16.9-19.8 nmol/L), lowered resting metabolic rate ratio (0.76-0.98), varied luteinizing hormone (4-10 U/L), and suboptimal energy availability (26-41 kcal/kg fat-free mass/d, range) were observed in the male track cyclists. Protein intakes ranged from 2.0 g to 2.8 g protein/kg/d.
Conclusion: The current cohort may have within-day energy deficiency, putting them in a catabolic state.
Keywords: athlete; energy deficiency; protein; relative energy deficiency in sport; sex hormones.