Body Composition of Competitive Bodybuilders: A Systematic Review of Published Data and Recommendations for Future Work

Abstract

Bauer, P, Majisik, A, Mitter, B, Csapo, R, Tschan, H, Hume, P, Martínez-Rodríguez, A, and Makivic, B. Body composition of competitive bodybuilders: a systematic review of published data and recommendations for future work. J Strength Cond Res 37(3): 726–732, 2023—The purpose of this review was to systematically summarize studies measuring the body composition of competitive bodybuilding athletes to provide recommended values for preparation and during competition. The protocol was preregistered with PROSPERO (CRD42020197921) and followed the guidelines of the Preferred Reported Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis. A search of 5 electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, SportDiscus, CINAHL, and Scopus) was conducted to retrieve all relevant publications from January 1, 2000, up to June 13, 2021. Of 16 studies meeting the inclusion criteria, 6 presented longitudinal data on competition preparation and were discussed in detail. In the general preparation phase, body fat levels of bodybuilding athletes ranged between 15.3 and 25.2% (female) and from 9.6 to 16.3% (male). Close to competition, however, body fat levels were substantially lower, ranging from 8.1 to 18.3% for female and 5.8–10.7% for male athletes. All studies comparing relative body fat values at various time points during competition preparation found significant reductions between 30 and 60% in relative body fat, whereas lean mass was mostly maintained. Findings from the studies included in this review suggest that most bodybuilding competitors keep resistance training volume high while increasing aerobic training volume when preparing for competition. Findings on energy intake and macronutrient distribution were unclear and should be addressed in future studies. Further research, especially on contest preparation, is warranted and should include more details about training programs, nutritional strategies, psychosocial situation, anabolic androgen steroid, and supplement use as well as measurement protocols and preparation.

Contactless exercise intervention in prenatal and postnatal period during COVID-19 lowers the risk of postpartum depression

“…This was the result of the subject's disapproval of the process of collecting additional blood, and the results of the experiment are planned to supplement the reliability of the results in future follow-up studies on the premise of a high possibility. Lastly, we assessed body composition using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), In-Body 770 equipment, which offers a time- (within 2 min) and cost-effective, and high reproducibility (coefficient of variation, < 5%) 65 – 68 . Unfortunately, however, it is important to note that In-Body 770, despite its advantages, has limitations as suggested by Brewer et al 69 .…”

Bioimpedance Patterns and Bioelectrical Impedance Vector Analysis (BIVA) of Body Builders

“…However, reducing carbohydrates of this magnitude close to the competition should only happen briefly to avoid muscle loss [ 26 ]. Furthermore, approaching the competitive phase, a 5–6% reduction in body fat mass is sought; therefore, the total energy intake is reduced, and proteins and fats are modulated [ 27 ]. Increasing the protein content during diets with energy deficit regimes allows the maintenance of muscle mass.…”

“…Therefore, maintaining resistance training levels and increasing protein intake is an established procedure. However, the increase in aerobic exercise [ 27 ] for greater muscle definition may lead to a depletion of muscle glycogen with a consequent reduction in the volume of muscle masses. At the same time, the reduction in carbohydrate intake could have the same effect as the reduction in muscle volume due to the reduced fluid recall exerted by the lower muscle glycogen content [ 24 ].…”

Completely Plant-Based Diets That Meet Energy Requirements for Resistance Training Can Supply Enough Protein and Leucine to Maximize Hypertrophy and Strength in Male Bodybuilders: A Modeling Study

“…The estimated energy needs of competitive bodybuilders were calculated using data from a recent systematic review by Bauer et al (2023) [48]. This systematic review included 16 studies that reported anthropometric data from 235 healthy male competitive bodybuilders with previous competition experience or currently in preparation for their first competition and who were not seeking weight loss [48]. The age range of these athletes was 22 to 35 years.…”

“…For this modeling analysis, the nutrient needs of competitive bodybuilders were chosen because their professional success depends predominantly on their ability to maximize skeletal muscle mass [ 45 , 46 ]. Male bodybuilders were selected as the population of interest because female bodybuilders typically require less total protein intake due to their lower mean body mass [ 47 , 48 ]. There is a common belief that athletes and other individuals pursuing increased muscle mass while following plant-based diets require protein supplementation [ 49 , 50 , 51 ].…”