A widespread practice among athletes harms both performance and health, says study

Graphical abstract. Credit: Redox Biology (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2024.103250 Whether selected to swim, row or run in the Olympics, or gearing up to ride in the Tour de France, achieving the “right” weight has been a focal point of many elite athletes for decades. It could be to look lean and mean in a swimsuit or jersey, or to qualify for a certain weight category. But there is also a belief that losing weight enhances performance. As such, it is a widespread phenomenon among athletes—especially in endurance sports like running, swimming, cycling and rowing—to reduce their dietary intake in the run-up Read More