Summary Energy requirements can be estimated from resting energy expenditure (REE). However, little is known about factors influencing REE in Japanese female athletes. This study was performed to evaluate the relationship between REE and body composition in Japanese female athletes with a wide range of body sizes. Ninety-three athletes (age 20.3 Ϯ 1.2 y, height 162.8 Ϯ 6.4 cm, body weight (BW) 57.0 Ϯ 9.2 kg, fat-free mass (FFM) 45.4 Ϯ 6.2 kg) were classified into three groups according to BW: small-size (S) ( n ϭ 34), medium-size (M) ( n ϭ 34), and large-size (L) ( n ϭ 25). Systemic and regional body compositions (skeletal muscle (SM), fat mass (FM), bone mass (BM), and residual mass (RM)) were estimated by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Measured resting energy expenditure (REEm) was evaluated by indirect calorimetry. Marked differences were found in REEm (S: 1,111 Ϯ 150, M: 1,242 Ϯ 133, L: 1,478 Ϯ 138 kcal/d), and systemic and regional body compositions among the three groups. REEm was strongly correlated with FFM, and absolute values of RM and SM increased significantly according to body size. There was good agreement between REEm and estimated REE (REEe) from the specific metabolic rates of four major organ tissue level compartments. These data indicate that REE for female athletes can be attributed to changes in organ tissue mass, and not changes in organ tissue metabolic rate. That is, change in REE can be explained mainly by the change in FFM, and REE can be assessed by FFM in female athletes regardless of body size. Key Words female athletes, resting energy expenditure, body composition, body size, fatfree mass Energy balance is a primary concern in most female athletes. Much of the effort of training can be lost when energy intake is insufficient to match that expended, as both body fat and body protein will be used for energy. In addition, if energy intake is limited or restricted, the ability to obtain other essential nutrients necessary for optimal sport performance and good health will be compromised. Previous studies suggested that chronic energy deficit have been implicated in health problems of female athletes such as disturbance of menstruation, osteopenia, eating disorders and anemia ( 1-3 ). Therefore, it is essential to properly manage the energy intake matched with energy requirement in female athletes.Energy requirement can be estimated from resting energy expenditure (REE). Estimated energy requirement (EER) is calculated using the estimation equation based on REE in the Dietary Reference Intakes for Japanese, 2010 (DRIs) ( 4 ). In most sedentary healthy adults, REE accounts for approximately 60% of total daily energy expenditure ( 5-7 ). It is well documented that REE is influenced by age, sex, body size, and body composition, including an individual's fat-free mass (FFM) or fat mass (FM) ( 8-10 ). In fact, these factors are usually included in prediction equations for REE ( 9 , 11 , 12 ), and three of these variables (age, sex, and FFM) generally account for 80% of the variabili...

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High basal metabolic rate/fat-free mass ratio in Japanese elite male athletes can be attributed to body composition Abstract The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relation between basal metabolic rate (BMR) and body composition in 29 Japanese elite male athletes (age 25.6±3.7y, height 175.6±7.0cm, body weight 74.7±12.8kg, fat-free mass (FFM) 64.9±9.3kg). The subjects were classified into three groups according to their FFM. There was a significant difference in BMR/ FFM between S-group (less than 0.5SD of average FFM) and L-group (more than 0.5SD). The parcentage of RM to body weight in S-group was significantly higher than in L-group. In conclusion, high basal metabolic rate/fat-free mass ratio in Japanese elite male athletes can be attributed to body composition.

In Japan, there is a lack of physical activity data on health and disease among people with visual impairments, making it difficult to develop specific strategies for health promotion. This study aimed to identify moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among people with visual impairments in Japan, to examine the percentage of them who meet the MVPA recommended activity, and to identify factors related to MVPA. In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed a survey of 169 adults with visual impairments. The relationship between MVPA and related factors was analyzed using binomial logistic regression analysis. The median MVPA was 46 min/day for men and 36 min/day for women, respectively, aged < 65 years, and 26 min/day for men and 34 min/day for women, respectively, aged ≥ 65 years. Seventy-eight percent of the subjects achieved the recommendations by the WHO, and 28% of the subjects < 65 years had achieved the MVPA of 60 min/day recommended by the Japanese Active Guide. Self-efficacy (SE) for PA, recommended PA implementation behavior, subjective walking speed, and exercise habits were significantly associated with MVPA. The current status of MVPA time among people with visual impairments in Japan, as revealed by this study, indicates that it is important to set realistic goals and plan a step-by-step process to achieve the recommendation. In the future, it will be important to develop a program that encourages the improvement of SE and promotes PA.