Fig. 1

Components of total daily energy expenditure and adaptions to low energy availability are shown. a Total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) consists of the resting energy expenditure (REE) and the non-resting energy expenditure (NREE). NREE can be further subdivided into the thermic effect of food (TEF), non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT), and exercise activity thermogenesis (EAT). Of those components, NEAT and EAT describe energy expended through physical activity (PA). b When energy availability is low, either by restricted dietary energy intake or increased energy exercise expenditure (EEE), metabolic adaptions to conserve energy occur. Those encompass a decline in basal metabolic rate (BMR), NEAT, and, if caloric intake is restricted, also in TEF. Generally, EAT will decrease as well but may be elevated in individuals increasing their training volume. Therefore, adaptations in this component are variable. Figure modified according to MacLean et al. [70]