Prevalence Of Low Energy Availability In A Collegiate Men's Gymnastics Team

INTRODUCTION: Men’s gymnastics (MGYM) is a demanding sport, involving periods of high energy expenditure, that prioritizes maintenance of a low body fat percentage. While the prevalence of low energy availability (LEA) has been investigated in women’s GYM, questions remain about its occurrence in MGYM. PURPOSE: To assess LEA risk, body composition, and dietary intake in college MGYM athletes. METHODS: National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III MGYM athletes (n=14; age: 21.0±1.2 yrs.) participated. Height (m), body mass (kg), and body composition variables (percent body fat [%],fat-free mass [FFM, kg]) were measured using a stadiometer, digital scale, and air displacement plethysmography, respectively. Over 3-days, average energy expenditure was assessed using wearable monitoring devices. Average daily energy and macronutrient intakes were obtained from a commercially available nutritional analysis program. Energy availability (EA) was calculated by subtracting energy expenditure from energy intake and expressed as kcal/kg of FFM. A threshold of <30 kcal/kg/FFM was used to classify athletes into LEA and non-LEA groups. Due to the small sample size, inferential statistics were de-emphasized and data were analyzed descriptively (mean ± standard deviation [SD]). RESULTS: Table 1 displays descriptive values of body composition and energy intake, expenditure, and EA status. Dietary intake identified 86% (n=12) of MGYM athletes as at-risk for LEA. Non-LEA athletes (n=2; 30.58±0.2 kcal/kg/FFM) marginally exceeded the LEA threshold, but qualified for subclinical LEA (30-45 kcal/kg/FFM). The cohort of athletes consumed insufficient energy (30.5±4.5 kcal/kg/d; range: 23.5-39.0) and carbohydrates (3.7±1.1 g/kg/d; range: 2.6-7.0), resulting in LEA (22.36±5.9 kcal/kg/FFM; range: 12.0-30.7). CONCLUSION: A high prevalence of LEA may exist in MGYM athletes, largely due to a low relative energy and carbohydrate intake. - A summary of body composition, average daily energy, and macronutrient intake by energy status LEA (n = 12) Non-LEA (n = 2) All (n = 14) Body Composition Height (m) 1.66 ± 4.66 1.66 ± 6.8 1.66 ± 4.68 Body Mass (kg) 67.9 ± 5.4 64.4 ± 2.2 67.6 ± 5.1 Fat Free Mass (kg) 61.7 ± 6.1 58.7 ± 0.6 61.3 ± 5.7 Body Fat (%) 9.2 ± 3.8 8.9 ± 2.2 9.2 ± 3.5 Dietary Intake Energy Intake (kcal/d) 1987.4 ± 268.3 2051.8 ± 300.8 2051.8 ± 300.8 Relative Energy Intake (kcal/kg/d) 29.3 ± 3.5 37.8 ± 1.7 30.5 ± 4.5 Carbohydrate Intake (g/d) 246.8 ± 81.9 278.0 ± 96.2 251.2 ± 80.7 Relative Carbohydrate Intake (g/kg/d) 3.6 ±1.1 4.3 ± 1.3 3.7 ± 1.1 Protein Intake (g/d) 110.6 ± 32.8 102.0 ± 16.5 109.4 ± 230.7 Relative Protein Intake (g/kg/d) 1.6 ±0.4 1.6 ± 0.4 1.6 ±0.4 Fat Intake (g/d) 66.5 ± 16.6 70.7 ± 24.9 67.1 ± 16.8 Relative Fate Intake (g/kg/d) 0.98 ± 0.2 1.1 ± 0.4 0.9 ± 0.3 Energy Expenditure Energy Expenditure (kcal) 692.9 ± 177.8 654.5 ±159.1 685.8 ± 170.4 Energy Status Energy Availability (kcal/kg FFM/d) 20.98 ± 5.2 30.58 ± 0.2 22.36 ± 5.9