Physiological Changes Following Competition in Male and Female Physique Athletes: A Pilot Study

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to evaluate changes in body composition, metabolic rate, and hormones during postcompetition recovery. Data were collected from natural physique athletes (7 male/8 female) within one week before (T1) competition, within one week after (T2), and 4-6 weeks after (T3) competition. Measures included body composition (fat mass [FM] and lean mass [LM] from ultrasongraphy), resting metabolic rate (RMR; indirect calorimetry), and salivary leptin, testosterone, cortisol, ghrelin, and insulin. Total body water (TBW; bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy) was measured at T1 and T2 in a subsample (n = 8) of athletes. Significant (p < .05) changes were observed for weight (T1 = 65.4 ± 12.2 kg, T2 = 67.4 ± 12.6, T3 = 69.3 ± 13.4; T3 > T2 > T1), LM (T1 = 57.6 ± 13.9 kg, T2 = 59.4 ± 14.2, T3 = 59.3 ± 14.2; T2 and T3 > T1), and FM (T1 = 7.7 ± 4.4 kg, T2 = 8.0 ± 4.4, T3 = 10.0 ± 6.2; T3 > T1 and T2). TBW increased from T1 to T2 (Δ=1.9 ± 1.3 L, p < .01). RMR increased from baseline (1612 ± 266 kcal/day; 92.0% of predicted) to T2 (1881 ± 329, 105.3%; p < .01) and T3 (1778 ± 257, 99.6%; p < .001). Cortisol was higher (p < .05) at T2 (0.41 ± 0.31 μg/dL) than T1 (0.34 ± 0.31) and T3 (0.35 ± 0.27). Male testosterone at T3 (186.6 ± 41.3 pg/mL) was greater than T2 (148.0 ± 44.6, p = .04). RMR changes were associated (p ≤ .05) with change in body fat percent (ΔBF%; r = .59) and T3 protein intake (r= .60); male testosterone changes were inversely associated (p≤ .05) with ΔBF%, ΔFM, and Δweight (r=-0.81--0.88). TBW increased within days of competition. Precompetition RMR suppression appeared to be variable and markedly reversed by overfeeding, and reverted toward normal levels following competition. RMR and male testosterone increased while FM was preferentially gained 4-6 weeks postcompetition.

Physical health and symptoms of relative energy deficiency in female fitness athletes

“…6 In the current study, the FA reached their lowest mean BF% of 17% at T2, while case studies of FA have reported levels of 9%-11% [14][15][16][17] and cohort studies means of 13%-18%. [20][21][22] Importantly, in the previous case studies, menstrual disturbances were reported to occur early during the dieting, 14,17 suggesting such impairments may be a response to the LEA rather than a specific level of BF%.…”

“…3,4 Hence, there are reasons for concern for the health of these athletes. At the time, only four case studies [14][15][16][17] and four cohort publications [18][19][20][21] report on health outcomes in females related to dieting for fitness sport participation. Among the publications with post-competition measures, 14,17,20,21 changes in BW and composition were reported to be temporary, with return to or above baseline 14,17,20 or normal, healthy levels 21 within 1-4 months post-dieting.…”

“…At the time, only four case studies [14][15][16][17] and four cohort publications [18][19][20][21] report on health outcomes in females related to dieting for fitness sport participation. Among the publications with post-competition measures, 14,17,20,21 changes in BW and composition were reported to be temporary, with return to or above baseline 14,17,20 or normal, healthy levels 21 within 1-4 months post-dieting. Unfortunately, shortages in these studies are either lack of reports on BMD, 14,16,17,21 lack of psychometric outcomes, 14,15,21 lack of post-competition measures, 15,16 or lack of comparisons to a healthy reference group not participating in this sport.…”

“…Among the publications with post-competition measures, 14,17,20,21 changes in BW and composition were reported to be temporary, with return to or above baseline 14,17,20 or normal, healthy levels 21 within 1-4 months post-dieting. Unfortunately, shortages in these studies are either lack of reports on BMD, 14,16,17,21 lack of psychometric outcomes, 14,15,21 lack of post-competition measures, 15,16 or lack of comparisons to a healthy reference group not participating in this sport. [14][15][16][17]20,21 Furthermore, site-specific BMD, such as spine BMD and proximal femur BMD, is more prone to the negative effect from low BW or dieting, while total BMD is less likely to reflect early changes.…”

“…Unfortunately, shortages in these studies are either lack of reports on BMD, 14,16,17,21 lack of psychometric outcomes, 14,15,21 lack of post-competition measures, 15,16 or lack of comparisons to a healthy reference group not participating in this sport. [14][15][16][17]20,21 Furthermore, site-specific BMD, such as spine BMD and proximal femur BMD, is more prone to the negative effect from low BW or dieting, while total BMD is less likely to reflect early changes. 24 Only one of the previous studies reported on site-specific BMD, concluding with no negative effect, despite reporting a seemingly overall low BMD.…”