International Journal of Sport, Exercise and Health Research 2026; 10(1): 1-6 DOI:10.31254/sportmed.10101

Research Article

Energy Availability Throughout a Training Season in Division III Female Athletes: A Pilot Study

Tara K. Whiton¹ , Jocelyn Skane¹ , Zachary Adams¹ , Madison Pelletier¹ , Karen Croteau¹ , Nina B. Eduljee²

Tara K. Whiton,Jocelyn Skane,Zachary Adams,Madison Pelletier,Karen Croteau,Nina B. Eduljee

1. Department of Sport & Exercise Science, Saint Joseph’s College of Maine, Standish, ME 04084, USA
2. Department of Psychology, Saint Joseph’s College of Maine, Standish, ME 04084, USA

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received: 18th February, 2026 / Revised: 1st January, 1970 / Accepted: 6th May, 2026 / Published : 30th June, 2026

Abstract

Background: NCAA Division III (DIII) athletes often lack dedicated nutrition resources, increasing their risk of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S). This pilot study investigated energy availability (EA) and nutritional status of NCAA DIII female athletes (n = 20) over a 6-week training period. Methods: Using a repeated-measures design, 20 female athletes (20 ± 1.1 years) across nine sports were assessed at three time points (DC1, DC2, and DC3). Data collection included laboratory assessments of body composition, resting metabolic rate, and the LEAF-Q screening tool; following each lab session, participants completed 7-day remote dietary tracking via the Cronometer app and maintained training logs to calculate energy expenditure. Results: High protocol adherence was observed (95.2%). The most significant finding was the pervasive nature of low energy availability (LEA); mean EA remained consistently below the clinical threshold of <30 kcal/kg FFM/day at all time points (23.7, 18.3, and 18.9 kcal/kg FFM/day, respectively). By DC3, 70% of participants were in clinical LEA and 0% achieved optimal EA. While 85% met physiological criteria for LEA, only 33% were identified as “at-risk” by the LEAF-Q. Dietary analysis revealed severe inadequacies in carbohydrate (2.3–2.5 g/kg/day) and protein (1.0–1.1 g/kg/day) relative to sport nutrition guidelines. Conclusion: DIII female athletes in our study faced a chronic “LEA load” driven by macronutrient deficits. Athletics departments should implement a universal screening tool that pairs the LEAF-Q with EA calculations to detect metabolic conservation, and should provide targeted education on fueling density.