Energy availability of female varsity volleyball players.
Female athletes should aim to achieve energy balance to maintain health and have a high performance output. The purpose of this study was to investigate energy availability (EA) among members of a medium-size Canadian Interuniversity Sport women's volleyball team and to describe exercise energy expenditure (ExEE) during practices, game warm-ups, and games. Total daily energy expenditure was assessed over 7 d using the Bodymedia Sensewear Mini armband, while energy intake (EI) was measured with dietary food logs. Body composition was assessed using air-displacement plethysmography (Bod Pod). Energy availability was calculated using the equation EA = (EI(kcal) - ExEE(kcal))/kg fat-free mass (FFM). Participants consumed 3,435 (±1,172) kcal/day and expended 3479 (± 604) kcal/day. Mean EA was 42.5 kcal·kg FFM(-1) d(-1) across all 7 d, and 2 participants fell below the 30-kcal·kg FFM(-1)·d(-1) threshold. Furthermore, participants expended 511 (± 216), 402 (± 50), and 848 (± 155) kcal during practices, game warm-ups, and games, respectively. Overall, the participants were relatively weight stable and should be encouraged to continue fueling their exercise and high ExEE needs with appropriate nutritional strategies.
Department of Kinesiology, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada.
Sarah J
SJ
Woodruff
Renee D
RD
Meloche
D000273:Adipose Tissue; D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002170:Canada; D004032:Diet; D002149:Energy Intake; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054798:Volleyball; D055815:Young Adult