Physical performance during energy deficiency in humans: An evolutionary perspective

Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol. 2023 Jul 3:111473. doi: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2023.111473. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTEnergy deficiency profoundly disrupts normal endocrinology, metabolism, and physiology, resulting in an orchestrated response for energy preservation. As such, despite energy deficit is typically thought as positive for weight-loss and treatment of cardiometabolic diseases during the current obesity pandemic, in the context of contemporary sports and exercise nutrition, chronic energy deficiency is associated to negative health and athletic performance consequences. However, the evidence of energy deficit negatively affecting physical capacity and sports performance is unclear. While severe energy deficiency can negatively affect physical capacity, humans can also improve aerobic fitness and strength while facing significant energy deficit. Many athletes, also, compete at an elite and world-class level despite showing clear signs of energy deficiency. Maintenance of high physical capacity despite the suppression of energetically demanding physiological traits seems paradoxical when an evolutionary viewpoint is not considered. Humans have evolved facing intermittent periods of food scarcity in their natural habitat and are able to thrive in it. In the current perspective it is argued that when facing limited energy availability, maintenance of locomotion and physical capacity are of high priority given that they are essential for food procurement for sur...

Source: Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part A, Molecular and integrative physiology. - July 5, 2023 Category: Physiology Authors: Jos é L Areta Source Type: research