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 (El) and estimated energy expenditure (EE), and a reduction in resting energy expenditure adjusted to fat free and fat masses (REE_ADJ). 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 absorp-tiometry). REE was assessed by indirect calorimetry. Physical activity and El were estimated from 7-day records. EE was calculated using activity records and REE. REE_A0J was similar in all groups (p > 0.05). El 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 El was 3.19 (SD 2.63) MJ d^-1 lower than estimated EE. El 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.

Key words

Athletes - body composition - bone - diet - energy expenditure