NUTRITION IN SPORT

Gymnastics competition typically involves
those who have not yet reached the age of 25,
with those who are between 16 and 19 years old
constituting the majority of the elite ranks
(Nattiv & Mendelbaum 1993). However, there
are increasing numbers of junior gymnasts who
are already seasoned competitors at age 12
(Benardot et al. 1989, 1993).

Energy and nutrient intake

A number of studies have evaluated the nutrient
intake of elite gymnasts. In general, these studies
demonstrate an inadequacy in the intake of total
energy, iron and calcium. Heavy gymnastic
training and inadequate nutrient intake are

implicated as causative factors in the primary

amenorrhoea experienced by many young gym-

nasts, and may also contribute to the secondary

amenorrhoea experienced by older gymnasts.

Inadequate calcium intake is associated with

poor bone development and increased risk of

stress fracture (see Chapter 23). Inadequate iron

intake is associated with anaemia, which is a risk

factor in the development of amenorrhoea

(Loosli 1993) (see Chapter 24).

energy intake

Table 45.2 presents a summary of selected

published energy intake data obtained from

several gymnastics populations. Included in this

gymnastics 591

Table 45.1Gymnastics disciplines and duration (in seconds) of each competitive event.

Rhythmic Rhythmic Women’s Men’s

Activity (individual) (group) artistic artistic

Floor exercise 75–90 135–150 60–90 50–70

Balance beam ——70–90 —

Horizontal bar ———15–30

Parallel bars ———20–30

Uneven parallel bars ——20–30 —

Pommel horse ———20–30

Vault ——6–8 6–8

Rings ———20–30

Table 45.2Comparison of energy intakes vs. requirements of different artistic gymnastic populations.

Subject Population Intake Intake RDA† Predicted
age (years) evaluated* (n) (kJ) (kcal) (%) requirement (%) Reference

9.4±0.8 US junior elite (29) 6934 ± 1525 1651 ± 363 — 76 Benardot et al. (1989)
11.4±0.9 US junior elite (22) 7165 ± 1768 1706 ± 421 — 76 Benardot et al. (1989)
11.5±0.5 Turkish club (20) 6586 1568 59 — Ersoy (1991)
12.3±1.7 Italian club (26) 6518 ± 2138 1552 ± 509 78 — Reggianiet al. (1989)
14.8 US Level I, II (20) 7325 1744 99 — Calabrese (1985)
14.8±1.2 Swedish elite (22) 8106 ± 1911 1930 ± 455 — 73 Lindholm et al. (1995)
15.2±4.1 US high school (13) 8077 ± 2831 1923 ± 674 96 84 Moffatt (1984)
15.8±0.9 US national team (14) 6283 ± 1743 1496 ± 415 71 66 Benardot (1996)
19.7±0.2 US college team (26) 5800 ± 458 1381 ± 109 63 47 Kirchner et al.(1995)
— US college team 8736 2080 72 — Short and Short
(male) (10) (1983)
36.3±1.0 Former competitive 11 004± 1100 2620 ± 262 119 119 Kirchner et al. (1996)
(18)

• All data are for female gymnasts, except for data from Short and Short (1983).
  † RDAs are country specific.