tion is associated with fatigue, muscle fibre
damage, and joint weakness that could predis-
pose an athlete to skeletal injury (Schlabach
1994). An adequate calcium intake of
1500 mg · day–1may impart some degree of safety
in helping to reduce fracture risk (Heaney 1991),
and if it is not possible to obtain sufficient
calcium through food consumption, calcium
supplementation has been found to be effective
in increasing bone mineral density in children
(Johnstonet al. 1992).Attainment of ideal body composition
The literature is filled with data showing that600 sport-specific nutrition
competitive gymnasts, regardless of age, have
body fat levels that are lower than those of age-
matched control groups (O’Connor et al. 1996a).
The best male gymnasts, who attain their top ath-
letic performances in late adolescence, tend to
have low body fat levels (3–4% has been reported
in the literature), and an average lean body
weight of 63.5 kg (Bale & Goodway 1990). When
female gymnasts reach the elite ranks in mid- to
late adolescence, they tend to have weights of
about 50 kg, with body fat levels of between 10%
and 16% (Bale & Goodway 1990).
Gymnasts appear to be particularly suscepti-
ble to methods of achieving desirable weight and
body composition that are commonly describedFig. 45.2In both men’s and
women’s gymnastics, a high
power to mass ratio is essential.
Elite competitors are
characterized by good muscle
development and low body fat
content. (a) Photo © Allsport / M.
Powell. (b) Photo © Allsport / D.
Pensinger.(a)
(b)