Body Composition, Dietary Intake, and Iron Status of Female Collegiate Swimmers and Divers

Abstract

This study determined the effect of training on body composition, dietary intake, and iron status of eumenorrheic female collegiate swimmers (n = 18) and divers (n = 6) preseason and after 16 wk of training. Athletes trained on dryland (resistance, strength, flexibility) 3 d/wk, 1.5 h/d and in-water 6 d/wk, nine, 2-h sessions per week (6400 to 10,000 kJ/d). Body-mass index (kg/m2; P = 0.05), waist and hip circumferences (P < or = 0.0001), whole body fat mass (P = 0.0002), and percentage body fat (P < or = 0.0001) decreased, whereas lean mass increased (P = 0.028). Using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, we found no change in regional lean mass, but fat decreased at the waist (P = 0.0002), hip (P = 0.0002), and thigh (P = 0.002). Energy intake (10,061 +/- 3617 kJ/d) did not change, but dietary quality improved with training, as reflected by increased intakes of fiber (P = 0.036), iron (P = 0.015), vitamin C (P = 0.029), vitamin B-6 (P = 0.032), and fruit (P = 0.003). Iron status improved as reflected by slight increases in hemoglobin (P = 0.046) and hematocrit (P = 0.014) and decreases in serum transferrin receptor (P < or = 0.0001). Studies are needed to further evaluate body composition and iron status in relation to dietary intake in female swimmers.

Analysis of Dietary Intake and Body Composition of Female Athletes over a Competitive Season

“…Previous studies have consistently demonstrated that female athletes consume insuffi cient amount of calories and are in a negative energy balance. (Clark et al, 2003;Hassapidou & Manstrantoni, 2001;Hinton et al, 2004;Mullinix, Jonnalagadda, Rosenbloom, Th ompson, & Kicklighter, 2003;Papadopoulou et al, 2002;Petersen et al, 2006). Female athletes participating in varsity sports consistently report an average energy intake that meets the minimum requirements for women of similar age who participate in light-to moderate physical activity (Clark et al, 2003;Hinton et al, 2004;Petersen et al, 2006).…”

“…Average BF% fell at the higher end of healthy BF% ranges, however, varied greatly between the athletes (Gallagher et al, 2000). Previously, lower BF% were consistently reported for female athletes of similar sports including soccer (~16%), soft ball (21%), basketball (16%), and volleyball players (19-23%) (Clark et al, 2003;Hassapidou & Manstrantoni, 2001;Malousaris et al, 2008;Petersen et al, 2006;Tsunawake et al, 2003). However, most of investigations observed elite female athletes whose level, type and amount of training may have been diff erent compared to Division I college athletes.…”

“…Athletes may have underestimated food intake or increased consumption of food before or aft er the completion of the three day food records compensating for energy imbalance. (Petersen et al, 2006). Also, athletes may have been more conscious and aware of foods eaten altering the type and amount of food consumed aff ecting their reported food and energy intake.…”

Dxa as a Tool for the Assessment of Morphological Asymmetry in Athletes

“…Among other factors like training methods modification or biological regeneration also certain level of morphological parameters is very important. Body compartments, among other factors, play an important role in physical performance (Petersen et al, 2006). Generally, the body composition of athletes are consider in terms of www.intechopen.com Dxa as a Tool for the Assessment of Morphological Asymmetry in Athletes 61 whole body composition, but research show that regional BMD, FFM and FM distribution is equally important, in relation to training and performance (Bell et al, 2005).…”

Nutritional Recommendations for Synchronized Swimming

“…A study reporting combined iron status of collegiate swimmers and divers reported marginal iron status among the group; median serum ferritin was 12.7 µg/L (range = 1.6-113.5 µg/L; Petersen et al, 2006). Athletes in similar aesthetic sports, such as gymnastics, have reported dietary iron intake below the recommended level (15 mg/day in girls and women between 11 and 24 years old).…”