Resting metabolic rate and energy intake in female gymnasts, figure-skaters and soccer players.
We examined the hypothesis that lean female athletes, as compared to other female athletes and controls, have a greater deficit between reported energy intake (EI) and estimated energy expenditure (EE), and a reduction in resting energy expenditure adjusted to fat free and fat masses (REEADJ). The subjects were 12 gymnasts and figure-skaters (lean athletes), 12 soccer players (normal-weight athletes) and 10 normal-weight, untrained, controls. Body composition was calculated from a 3-compartment model (underwater weighing and dual energy x-ray absorptiometry). REE was assessed by indirect calorimetry. Physical activity and EI were estimated from 7-day records. EE was calculated using activity records and REE. REEADJ was similar in all groups (p > 0.05). EI was 8.29 (SD 1.84), 7.04 (SD 2.23) and 8.95 (SD 1.68) MJ.d-1 in controls, gymnasts and soccer players, respectively (p = 0.06). In gymnasts, reported EI was 3.19 (SD 2.63) MJ.d-1 lower than estimated EE. EI minus EE in controls was -0.18 (SD 1.80; different from gymnasts, p < 0.01) MJ.d-1, and in soccer players -0.47 (SD 1.89; different from gymnasts, p < 0.05) MJ.d-1. Low reported energy intake in gymnasts might reflect their attitudes on diet and body image.
Fogelholm
G M
GM
UKK Institute for Health Promotion Research, Tampere, Finland.
Kukkonen-Harjula
T K
TK
Taipale
S A
SA
Sievänen
H T
HT
Oja
P
P
Vuori
I M
IM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D002149:Energy Intake; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006173:Gymnastics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D012861:Skating / Q000502:physiology*; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*