GLOSSARY

Relative Power expresses power relative to a stated body-mass measure, commonly power divided by mass. Ratio improvement should be evaluated alongside absolute power and the actual demands of the event.

Body mass and composition can affect the demands of moving the body, but their relationship to performance depends on the task. Absolute strength, power, technique, endurance, skill and recovery may matter differently between sports. Dividing performance by mass can improve a ratio even when absolute performance declines. A nutrition change should therefore be judged against the actual event and health outcomes. There is no universal body-fat percentage or competition weight that guarantees success across athletes.

A body-mass goal should serve health and the demands of the sport rather than an assumed ideal appearance. A lower number can reduce absolute power, recovery or availability of energy even when a simple power-to-mass ratio appears attractive. Performance depends on technique, conditioning and many other factors. Planned changes should be evaluated over an appropriate period with consent and suitable professional support, especially when an athlete already has low body fat or competes in a weight category.

Energy availability describes dietary energy remaining after exercise expenditure, expressed relative to fat-free mass over a defined period. It differs from whole-day energy balance and from body-fat percentage. Calculations are sensitive to errors in food records, exercise expenditure and body-composition estimates. No single threshold or short observation establishes a diagnosis for every athlete. Persistent fatigue, impaired recovery or other concerning changes warrant assessment in the broader health and training context rather than a conclusion from one calculated value.