title: Energy intake and energy expenditure of pre-professional female contemporary dancers.
abstract: Many athletes in aesthetic and weight dependent sports are at risk of energy imbalance. However little is known about the exercise and eating behaviours of highly trained dance populations. This investigation sought to determine the energy intake and energy expenditure of pre-professional female contemporary dancers. Twenty-five female contemporary dance students completed the study. Over a 7-day period, including five week days (with scheduled dance training at a conservatoire) and two weekend days (with no scheduled dance training at the conservatoire), energy intake (self-reported weighed food diary and 24 h dietary recall) and expenditure (tri-axial accelerometry) were recorded. Mean daily energy intake and expenditure were different over the 7-day period (P = 0.014) equating to an energy deficit of -356 ± 668 kcal·day-1 (or -1.5 ± 2.8 MJ·day-1). Energy expenditure was not different when comparing week and weekend days (P = 0.297). However daily energy intake (P = 0.002), energy availability (P = 0.003), and energy balance (P = 0.004) were lower during the week compared to the weekend, where energy balance became positive. The percentage contribution of macronutrients to total energy intake also differed; with higher fat (P = 0.022) and alcohol (P = 0.020), and lower carbohydrate (P = 0.001) and a trend for lower protein (P = 0.051) at the weekend. Energy balance and appropriate macronutrient intake are essential for maintaining the demands of training, performance and recovery. Whilst aesthetics are important, female contemporary dancers may be at risk of the numerous health and performance impairments associated with negative energy balance, particularly during periods of scheduled training.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST, United Kingdom.|School of Sport and Exercise, University of Gloucestershire, Gloucester, GL2 9HW, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Meghan A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST, United Kingdom.|Water Research Group, School of Biological Sciences, North West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
authors.forename: Glyn
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Howatson
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dance, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, London, SE8 3DZ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Edel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Quin
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dance, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, London, SE8 3DZ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Redding
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle, NE2 4HH, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Emma J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Stevenson
mesh_terms: D003615:Dancing / Q000502:physiology; D002149:Energy Intake; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D055815:Young Adult