Search

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of low energy availability (EA) on health and performance indices associated with the Male Athlete Triad and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) models., Methods: Over an 8-wk period, a male combat sport athlete adhered to a phased body mass (BM) loss plan consisting of 7-wk energy intake (EI) equating to resting metabolic rate (RMR) (1700 kcal·d-1) (phase 1), 5 d of reduced EI (1200-300 kcal·d-1) before weigh-in (phase 2), and 1 wk of ad libitum EI postcompetition (phase 3). EA fluctuated day by day because of variations in exercise energy expenditure. Regular assessments of body composition, RMR, cardiac function, cardiorespiratory capacity, strength and power, psychological state and blood clinical chemistry for endocrine, bone turnover, hydration, electrolyte, renal, liver, and lipid profiles were performed., Results: BM was reduced over the 8-wk period by 13.5% (72.5 to 62.7 kg). No consequences of Male Athlete Triad or RED-S were evident during phase 1, where mean daily EA equated to 20 kcal·kg·fat free mass (FFM)-1·d-1 (range, 7 to 31 kcal·kg FFM-1·d-1) and BM and fat mass (FM) losses were 6.5 and 4.4 kg, respectively. However, consequences did present in phase 2 when mean daily EA was consistently <10 kcal·kg FFM-1·d-1, as evidenced by alterations to endocrine hormones (e.g., testosterone <5 nmol.L-1) and reduced RMR (-257 kcal·d-1)., Conclusion: Data demonstrate that 7 wk of daily fluctuations in EA equating to a mean value of 20 kcal·kg FFM-1·d-1 permits reductions of BM and FM without perturbations to physiological systems associated with the Male Athlete Triad and RED-S. By contrast, a subsequent period of five consecutive days of EA <10 kcal·kg FFM-1·d-1 induced consequences of Male Athlete Triad and RED-S., (Copyright © 2020 by the American College of Sports Medicine.)

Golf is a sport played around the globe, with an estimated 42.6 million people playing within the United Kingdom and United States of America alone. To date, there is limited data on the energy expenditure of golf. The present study assessed the activity energy expenditure (AEE) of 16 high-standard (handicap under 5) golfers who completed three rounds of competitive golf either carrying the golf bag (BC), using a manual push trolley (MT) or an electric trolley (ET) (Stewart Golf, Gloucester, UK). Prior to each round, participants were fitted with an Actiheart® accelerometer (Camntech, Fenstanton, UK) to estimate AEE, whilst ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and enjoyment were collected following each round. Data were analysed using a one-way repeated measures ANOVA, with Hedges g effect sizes (ES) calculated. Mean (SD) AEE was 688 ± 213 kcal for BC, 756 ± 210 kcal for MT and 663 ± 218 kcal for ET (p =.05) although these differences were deemed small or less. The ET condition resulted in the lowest mean heart rate, moderate or very large from BC or MT, respectively. There were no significant differences in enjoyment although perceived exertion was lowest in the ET condition. In summary, we report meaningful differences in AEE between the three conditions (p =.05), with perceived exertion and maximum HR being lowest when using the electric trolley. Golf may be considered as an effective intervention to increase step count and improve physical activity levels across the general population regardless of transportation methods of clubs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present case study was to quantify the physiological and metabolic impact of extreme weight cutting by an elite male mixed martial arts athlete. Throughout an 8-week period, we obtained regular assessments of body composition, resting metabolic rate, peak oxygen uptake, and blood clinical chemistry to assess endocrine status, lipid profiles, hydration, and kidney function. The athlete adhered to a "phased" weight loss plan consisting of 7 weeks of reduced energy (ranging from 1,300 to 1,900 kcal/day) intake (Phase 1), 5 days of water loading with 8 L/day for 4 days followed by 250 ml on Day 5 (Phase 2), 20 hr of fasting and dehydration (Phase 3), and 32 hr of rehydration and refueling prior to competition (Phase 4). Body mass declined by 18.1% (80.2 to 65.7 kg) corresponding to changes of 4.4, 2.8, and 7.3 kg in Phases 1, 2, and 3, respectively. We observed clear indices of relative energy deficiency, as evidenced by reduced resting metabolic rate (−331 kcal), inability to complete performance tests, alterations to endocrine hormones (testosterone: <3 nmol/L), and hypercholesterolemia (>6 mmol/L). Moreover, severe dehydration (reducing body mass by 9.3%) in the final 24 hr prior to weigh-in-induced hypernatremia (plasma sodium: 148 mmol/L) and acute kidney injury (serum creatinine: 177 μmol/L). These data, therefore, support publicized reports of the harmful (and potentially fatal) effects of extreme weight cutting in mixed martial arts athletes and represent a call for action to governing bodies to safeguard the welfare of mixed martial arts athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The physiological effects of low energy availability (EA) have been studied using a homogenous daily EA pattern in laboratory settings. However, whether this daily EA pattern represents those of free-living athletes and is therefore ecologically valid is unknown. To investigate this, we assessed daily exercise energy expenditure, energy intake and EA in 10 free-living elite male road cyclists (20 min Mean Maximal Power: 5.27 ± 0.25 W · kg−1) during 7 consecutive days of late pre-season training. Energy intake was measured using the remote-food photography method and exercise energy expenditure estimated from cycling crank-based power-metres. Seven-day mean ± SD energy intake and exercise energy expenditure was 57.9 ± 10.4 and 38.4 ± 8.6 kcal · kg FFM−1 · day−1, respectively. EA was 19.5 ± 9.1 kcal · kg FFM−1 · day−1. Within-participants correlation between daily energy intake and exercise energy expenditure was.62 (95% CI:.43 –.75; P <.001), and.60 (95% CI:.41 –.74; P <.001) between carbohydrate intake and exercise energy expenditure. However, energy intake only partially compensated for exercise energy expenditure, increasing 210 kcal · day−1 per 1000 kcal · day−1 increase in expenditure. EA patterns displayed marked day-to-day fluctuation (range: −22 to 76 kcal · kg FFM−1 · day−1). The validity of research using homogenous low EA patterns therefore requires further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of European Journal of Sport Science is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)