as ‘pathogenic’ (Rosen et al. 1986). In fact, gym-
nasts are often seen as having a body composi-
tion that is most similar to that seen in anorexics
and female long-distance runners. The only
major difference observed between these groups
is a slightly higher body-fat percentage and
lower lean body mass in the anorexics (Bale et al.
1996). The physical development of the upper
body may exacerbate the development of eating
problems. It has been shown that gymnasts have
a well-developed upper-body musculature that
may limit movement of the thorax to reduce its
resting end-expiratory size. This limitation may
reduce a gymnast’s ventilation efficiency, lower-
ing oxygen flow to the working muscles (Barlett
et al. 1984). This reduction in oxygen exchange
may exacerbate the difficulties many gymnasts
experience in maintaining ideal body weight by
reducing fat metabolism capability, and may
help to explain why so many gymnasts are
driven to pathogenic weight control methods to
achieve the desired body composition.
Data from several surveys (Tables 45.5, 45.6)
generally indicate a steady rise in height and
weight by age. Using the statistical technique of
meta-analysis, it was determined that age is sig-
nificantly correlated to body-fat percentage (r=
0.712;P=0.004), height (r=0.720;P=0.002) and
weight (r=0.829;P=0.000). However, body-fat
percentage is not significantly correlated togymnastics 601
Table 45.5Heights, weights and body-fat percentages of gymnasts.
Population, Height Weight Body fat
age in years (n) (cm) (kg) (%) Method Reference
Junior elite, 131.1±6.6 27.3±4.1 8.6±2.0 Skinfolds Benardot and Czerwinski
age 9.1 (100) (1991)
Junior elite, 134.9 30.6 9.3 Skinfolds Benardot et al. (1989)
age 9.4 (51)
Junior elite, 141.0±6.9 32.8±4.9 9.2±1.9 Skinfolds Benardot and Czerwinski
age 11.3 (46) (1991)
Junior elite, 142.0±2.8 31.6±1.5 21.5 Skinfolds Ersoy (1991)
age 11.5 (19)
Junior club, 145.8±8.5 37.9±6.9 15.0±3.5 Bioelectrical Reggiani et al. (1989)
age 12.3 (26) impedence
Junior elite, 142.0±1.3 33.2±1.0 14.9±0.7 Skinfolds Theintz et al. (1993)
age 12.3 (22)
Junior elite, 148.0±9.6 39.9±7.9 10.9±3.2 Hydrostatic Bale et al. (1996)
age 13.3 (20) weighing
Club level, age 152.0 43.5 —— Calabrese (1985)
14.8 (20)
Junior elite, 158.0 46.8 13.2 Skinfolds Lindholm et al. (1995)
age 14.8 (22)
High school, 161.1±3.8 50.4±6.5 13.1±5.1 Hydrostatic Moffatt (1984)
age 15.2 (13) weighing
National team, 153.3±5.9 46.9±6.1 11.3±3.7 DEXA Benardot (1996)
age 15.8 (22)
College, age 159.4±4.3 55.0±6.5 15.6±2.9 DEXA Robinson et al. (1995)
19.5 (21)
College, age 158.7±4.8 53.0±6.1 16.8±3.2 Hydrostatic Barlett et al. (1984)
19.7 (10) weighing
College, age 158.0±1.1 54.1±1.2 17.0±0.5 DEXA Kirchner et al. (1995)
19.7 (26)
Former elite, 161.6±1.5 59.7±1.8 23.9±1.0 DEXA Kirchner et al. (1996)
age 36.3 (18)