Working Memory Performance is Reduced after a Marathon Race and Associated with Low Energy Availability in Females
Abstract
PURPOSE: We tested the hypothesis that marathon racing reduces working memory performance and increases frontal theta activity in trained female endurance athletes. We further examined whether changes in cognitive performance or brain activity were associated with either acute and/or chronic risk of low energy availability. METHODS: Sixteen female Tier 2 runners (42 ± 9 yr; VO 2 max 45.6 ± 6 mL·kg - ¹·min - ¹) underwent VO 2 max testing and the Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire (LEAF-Q) 7-14 d before a marathon. Participants completed 1-back (low-load) and 3-back (high-load) working memory tasks during electroencephalogram recordings, performed before and immediately after the race (
Fields of Study & Subjects
Sports Performance and Training
Sport Psychology and Performance
Muscle metabolism and nutrition
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise
- Publisher
- Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
- Volume
- 58
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 1246–1258
- Publication date
- 22 January 2026
- Language
- EN