A Case Report: Compositional, Physiological, and Psychological Responses to Contest Preparation in a First-time Bikini Competitor

Introduction: The purpose of this report was to document a novice, natural, female, physique athlete’s physiological and psychological responses to a 6-month preparation and 1-month post-competition period. Methods: The athlete’s protocol throughout preparation was a high-protein caloric deficit with ~2 refeed days per week, as well as resistance and cardiovascular training. The athlete self-reported bodyweight and adherence via a weekly electronic survey. Once monthly during preparation, compositional, physiological, and psychological assessments were administered by a technician. Blood samples were drawn at the beginning of preparation and during the week of competition. Results: Bodyweight decreased throughout preparation (51.9 to 46.7kg; Δ5.2kg) and further post-competition (46.3kg, R2=0.96), with a similar decrease in body fat percentage (17.2 to 12.3%; Δ4.9%) and fat-free mass (42.9 to 41.0kg; Δ1.9kg) during preparation. Mild somatic (8/30) and depressive (5/27) symptoms manifested approximately 1-month prior to competition. Depressive (7/27) and anxiety (5/21) symptoms peaked post-competition but were not clinically significant. This aligned with a peak in emotional eating post-competition (5/12) and an increase in the athlete’s previously elevated cortisol levels (761.76 to 839.04nmol/L). Conclusions: The present report may be the first empirical documentation of a female physique competitor reducing fat-free mass during contest preparation and what is anecdotally known as “post-show blues.”