Relationship between energy deficits and body composition in elite female gymnasts and runners

Abstract

These data suggest that within-day energy deficits (measured by frequency and/or magnitude of deficit) are associated with higher body fat percentage in both anaerobic and aerobic elite athletes, possibly from an adaptive reduction in the REE. These data should discourage athletes from following restrained or delayed eating patterns to achieve a desired body composition.

Energy Thermodynamics Revisited: Energy intake strategies for optimizing athlete body composition and performance

“…The corrective action was to adjust the consumed energy during the day to avoid the large energy balance deficit while maintaining total energy intake as it was. This strategy resulted in lower body fat percent for this subject, in a way that was consistent with the findings of Deutz et al (2000). At no time was the recommendation made to increase or lower total energy intake, but rather to change the timing and amount of foods consumed to better sustain energy balance throughout the day and positively influence the hormone response.…”

“…However, as demonstrated in Figure 2, there are natural peaks and valleys in energy balance throughout the day, and it has been found that wide deviations from perfect energy balance during a 24-hour period are associated with higher body fat %, even if energy balance is achieved at the end of that 24-hour period. Deutz et al (2000) found, in studying female elite artistic and rhythmic gymnasts (n = 42; mean age 15.5 yr.), and middleand long-distance runners (n = 20; mean age 26.6 yr.), that large energy balance deficits achieved by either group of athletes were associated with significantly higher body fat levels (gymnasts: r = .508; p < .001 and runners: r = .461; p = .041), despite ending the day in a relatively good energy balanced states.…”

“…It was found that muscle catabolism occurs with inadequate fuel provision as an adaptation to the poor fuel delivery and as a consequence of higher cortisol production (Jenkins et al, 1989;Iwao, Mori, & Sato, 1996). Infrequent eating and large bolus meals result in higher body fat storage, even if total caloric intake is the same, largely as a result of greater insulin production from the larger meals (Fogteloo et al, 2004;Deutz et al, 2000). Insulin, blood sugar, and leptin are better controlled with frequent smaller feedings that dynamically match energy requirement (Leibel, Rosenbaum, & Hirsch, 1995;Hawley & Burke, 1997).…”

“…Despite these seemingly simple exercise-associated requirements, surveys assessing food and fluid intakes have found that physically active people commonly fail to optimally satisfy the increased needs of both energy and fluid (Hawley & Burke, 1997;Hubbard, Szlyk & Armstrong, 1990). To exacerbate this problem, it has been found that there is a tendency to supply the energy and fluids after they are most needed (i.e., post-loading), resulting in compromised performance and an undesired change in body composition (Deutz, Benardot, Martin & Cody, 2000;Saltzman & Roberts, 1995). Several possibilities exist for why athletes fail to optimally satisfy total energy and fluid needs, including a poor understanding of what foods and beverages are best do consume; inadequate availability of foods and beverages before, during, and after exercise; a sport-specific tradition that perpetuates inadequate eating and hydration habits; and a tendency for athletes to model behavior after those who have excelled in the sport even if their food/beverage consumption behaviors are less than optimal (Benardot, 2007).…”

A checagem corporal possui relação com a restrição alimentar em atletas do sexo feminino?

“…Evidências científicas também têm apontado estreita relação entre a restrição alimentar e o excesso de gordura corporal (BERNARDI; CICHELERO; VITOLO, 2005;BIBILONI et al, 2013). Logo, as atletas que passam longos períodos sem ingerir nutrientes podem gerar aumento significativo em seu percentual de gordura após breve refeição (DEUTZ et al, 2000 As atletas treinavam sua respectiva modalidade esportiva em média 2 horas por dia, com frequência de 5 vezes por semana. Para serem incluídas na pesquisa, as atletas deveriam: a) ser atleta a pelo menos 2 anos; b) treinar sistematicamente seu esporte por pelo menos 6 horas por semana; c) ter disputado alguma competição no ano de 2013 e; d) ter disponibilidade para responder questionários.…”