scholarly journals Identifikasi status gizi, somatotipe, asupan makan dan cairan pada atlet atletik remaja di Indonesia

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 85
Author(s):  
Mirza Hapsari Sakti Titis Penggalih ◽  
Mustika Cahya Nirmala Dewinta ◽  
Kurnia Mar'atus Solichah ◽  
Diana Pratiwi ◽  
Ibtidau Niamilah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Fat ◽  
Fluid Intake ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Sport Performance ◽  
Nutrition Status ◽  
Fat Percentage ◽  
Total Fluid Intake ◽  
Dietary Recall ◽  
Percentage Of Body Fat ◽  
Food And Fluid Intake

Athletes’ nutrition status, somatotype, and adequate dietary intake are strongly related to their sport performance. Examining those markers in adolescent age is essential in order to develop the optimum physical characteristics for the future. This study was conducted to identify the nutrition status based on anthropometry value, somatotype, food and fluid intake of youth athletic athletes in Indonesia. Descriptive quantitative design was used in this study. Subjects participated in the study were 25 youth athletic athletes from Students Education and Training Program (Program Pembinaan dan Pelatihan Pelajar) in Yogyakarta and Aceh, and School of Sports (Sekolah Keolahragaan) Ragunan, Jakarta Selatan. Anthropometry measurement consists of body weight, height, body fat percentage, and somatotype. Nutrition status was identified according to BMI/age and height/age. Food and fluid intake were assessed using 24-hour dietary recall interview and semi quantitative fluid frequency questionnaire. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed and the result was presented in mean and deviation standard. BMI/age values in male and female athletes were -2 SD ≤ Z ≥ +1 SD (normal) and +1 SD ≤ Z ≥ +2 SD (overweight), respectively. Height/age value for both gender was normal in -2 SD ≤ Z ≥ +2 SD. Percentage of body fat ranged in 12-16% for males and 18-28% for females. Somatotype category for males was ectomorphic mesomorph (2.3-5.0-3.3) and endomorphic mesomorph (4.4-5.6-2.0) for females. Fulfillment of energy and carbohydrate was found inadequate (< 80%), whereas fat intake was found excess (> 110%). Total fluid intake was ranged from 2700 ml to 5800 ml per day. Overweight nutrition status was still found in female athletes. Ideal somatotype was found only in male athletes. Excessive percentage of body fat was detected in both gender. Total energy, macro nutrients, micro nutrients, and fluid intake were inadequate compared to dietary recommendation.

scholarly journals Anthropometric characteristics and dietery intake of swimming athletes with disabilities before the competition

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 33
Author(s):  
Mirza Hapsari Sakti Titis Penggalih ◽  
Mustika C N Dewinta ◽  
Kurnia M Solichah ◽  
Diana Pratiwi ◽  
Ibtidau Niamilah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Body Fat ◽  
Fluid Intake ◽  
Nutrition Status ◽  
Fat Percentage ◽  
Dietary Recall ◽  
Athletes With Disabilities ◽  
Performance Examining ◽  
National Training ◽  
Food And Fluid Intake

<p><strong>ABSTRAK</strong></p><p><strong></strong> <strong>Latar belakang:</strong> Kajian status gizi pada atlet renang merupakan hal yang fundamental karena berperan dalam menunjang performa. Sementara itu atlet difabel memiliki beberapa karakteristik yang berbeda dengan atlet biasa, sehingga perlu memperoleh perhatian tersendiri. Studi mengenai kajian status gizi pada atlet difabel di Indonesia belum pernah dilakukan, sehingga penulis mencoba mengkaji status gizi atlet difabel cabang olahraga renang dari aspek antropometri serta asupan makanan dan cairan.</p><p><strong>Tujuan:</strong> Mengkaji status gizi atlet renang difabel dari segi antropometri serta asupan makanan dan cairan.</p><p><strong>Metode:</strong> Subjek yang terlibat adalah atlet difabel renang sebanyak 18 orang (16 laki-laki dan 2 perempuan) berusia 15-34 tahun yang sedang menjalani masa karantina untuk persiapan ASEAN Para Games 2017 di Malaysia. Pengukuran antropometri meliputi komponen berat badan, tinggi badan, persen lemak, dan somatotype. Penentuan status gizi berdasarkan Indeks Massa Tubuh (IMT) dan Lingkar Lengan Atas (LLA). Kajian asupan makanan dan cairan dilakukan dengan wawancara recall 24-hours yang menanyakan asupan makan dalam satu hari terakhir dan<em> Semi Quantitative Fluid Frequency</em> yang menanyakan asupan cairan selama satu minggu terakhir. Seluruh data dianalisa secara deskriptif serta ditampilkan dalam bentuk rata-rata dan nilai simpang baku (SD).</p><p><strong>Hasil:</strong> Sebanyak 11 dari 18 atlet memiliki status gizi normal, sementara sisanya memiliki status gizi berlebih atau overweight. Hasil pengukuran persen lemak adalah 16% pada atlet laki-laki dan 29% pada atlet perempuan, lebih tinggi dari persen lemak atlet renang profesional (13% dan 26%). Somatotype atlet renang difabel didominasi kategori ectomorphic mesomorph. Asupan energi zat gizi makro dan mikro masih tergolong kurang dengan pemenuhan di bawah 80% dari kebutuhan yang direkomendasikan.</p><p><strong> Kesimpulan:</strong> Beberapa aspek antropometri belum sesuai dengan standar atlet profesional, dan pemenuhan asupan makanan serta cairan belum optimal sesuai dengan kebutuhan. Diperlukan pemberian diet dan latihan yang tepat untuk mencapai perawakan fisik terbaik dan meningkatkan asupan makanan.</p><p><strong>KATA KUNCI :</strong> difabel, renang, antropometri, asupan makan, status gizi</p><p><strong>ABSTRACT</strong></p><p><strong>Backgrounds:</strong> In the strategy of fostering athletes’ performance, examining their nutrition status is essential as the guide to plan the proper diet and physical training. However, physical impairment in disabled athletes gives extra challenge in assessing the nutrition profile, particularly on anthropometric measurements.</p><p><strong>Objectives:</strong> To identify the nutrition status based on anthropometry value, food and fluid intake of disabled swimming athletes.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> Descriptive quantitative design was used in this study. Subjects participated in the study were 18 disabled swimmers in national training camp for 2017 ASEAN Para-Games. Anthropometry measurement consists of body weight, height, %body fat, and somatotype. Nutrition status was identified according to BMI and MUAC. Food and fluid intake were assessed using 24-hour dietary recall and Semi Quantitative Fluid Frequency Questionnaire. Descriptive statistical analysis was done using SPSS software version 16, and the result was presented in mean and deviation standard.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> Nutrition status of athletes based on BMI and MUAC illustrated that 11 (61%) athletes had normal nutrition status, 6 (34%) were overweight, and 1 (5%) was obese. Body fat percentage for female and male athletes were 29% and 16%, respectively, higher than recommended value (26.6% and 13%) Endomorphic mesomoprh was dominant as the somatotype value of athletes, contradicted to standard value in professional swimmer (balanced mesomoprh or central). Dietary intake of athletes was found to be inadequate with %intake for energy, protein, fat, and carbohydrate were 55%, 66%, 79%, and 49%. The inadequate fluid intake was also found with the intake was 3222 ml/day.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> The results indicate that several anthropometry values such as %body fat and somatotype of disabled swimming athletes in this study were still differ from anthropometry standard of professional swimmers. Total energy, macro nutrients, micro nutrients, and fluid intake were inadequate compared to dietary recommendation.</p><p><strong>KEYWORDS:</strong> disabled athlete, swimming, anthropometry, dietary intake, nutrition status</p>

Peak Fat Oxidation is not Independently Related to Ironman Performance in Women

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (12) ◽  
pp. 916-923 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stine Vest ◽  
Jacob Frandsen ◽  
Steen Larsen ◽  
Flemming Dela ◽  
Jørn Helge
Keyword(s):  
Body Fat ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Fat Oxidation ◽  
Significant Variable ◽  
Body Fat Percentage ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Simple Linear Regression ◽  
Fat Percentage ◽  
Race Time ◽  
Relative Exercise Intensity

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to investigate if peak fat oxidation rate (PFO) is related to Ironman performance in female athletes. Thirty-six female Ironman athletes (age: 34±1 yrs, [21–45 yrs.] SEM [Range]) with a BMI of 22.1±2.0 kg/m2 [18.8–28.4 kg/m2], a body fat percentage of 24.8±1.0% [9.0–37.0%] and a V̇O2peak of 53.0±1.3 ml/min/kg [36.5–70.5 ml/min/kg] were tested in the laboratory prior to the Ironman Copenhagen 2017. Race time ranged from 9:17:07 to 15:23:48 with mean race time being 11:57:26 h:min:s (717 min). By simple linear regression analyses we found associations between race time and P FO (r2=0.22, p<0.005), V̇O2peak (r2=0.65, p<0.0001) and the relative exercise intensity eliciting PFO (Fatmax) (r2=0.35, p=0.0001). Furthermore, associations were found between race time and body fat percentage (r2=0.44, p<0.0001) and age (r2=0.16, p<0.05). By means of multiple regression analysis, V̇O2peak was the only statistically significant variable explaining 64% of the variation in race time (adj. r2=0.64, p<0.005). In conclusion, these results demonstrate that PFO is not independently related to Ironman performance in a heterogeneous group of female athletes. Interestingly, V̇O2peak alone was able to predict 64% of the variation in Ironman race times.

scholarly journals Perbandingan Persentase Lemak Tubuh Sebelum dan Setelah Melakukan Senam Zumba pada Wanita Dewasa

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brigitta A. Tendean ◽  
Damajanty H. C. Pangemanan ◽  
Ivonny M. Sapulete
Keyword(s):  
Body Fat ◽  
Bioelectrical Impedance ◽  
Impedance Analysis ◽  
Analysis Data ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Body Fat Percentage ◽  
Fat Percentage ◽  
Percentage Of Body Fat ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Signed Rank Test

Abstract: Physical activity is a body movement produced by skeletal muscles which requires energy. Lack of physical activity has a negative impact, one of which is an increase in body fat percentage above the normal threshold or often associated with obesity. Zumba is one of the popular aerobic exercises in the form of dancing. This study was aimed to compare the percentage of body fat before and after undertaking Zumba exercise in adult woman. This was an experimental field study with the one group pretest-posttest design. Samples were obtained by using total sampling technique. Zumba exercise was undertaken for 4 weeks, 3 times a week for 60 minutes. The percentage of body fat was measured by using an instrument based on Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis. Data were analyzed with the Wilcoxon Signed Rank test. The results showed that l6 subjects were involved in this study. The mean percentage of body fat percentage before Zumba exercise was 39.300% (SD±8.1041) meanwhile the mean percentage of body fat percentage after Zumba exercise was 39.031% (SD±7.9232). The statistical analysis to compare the body fat percentage before and after doing Zumba exercise obtained a P value of 0.065. Conclusion: There was no significant difference in body fat percentage before and after undertaking 4-week Zumba exercise among adult females.Keywords: body fat percentage, Zumba exercise Abstrak: Aktivitas fisik merupakan gerakan tubuh yang dihasilkan otot rangka yang memer-lukan energi. Kurangnya aktivitas fisik seperti olahraga memiliki dampak negatif, salah satunya peningkatan persentase lemak tubuh di atas ambang normal atau obesitas. Olahraga yang sedang popular belakangan ini ialah senam Zumba, yaitu latihan aerobik dalam bentuk tarian. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui perbandingan persentase lemak tubuh sebelum dan setelah melakukan senam zumba pada wanita dewasa. Jenis penelitian ialah eksperimental lapangan dengan desain one group pretest-posttest. Teknik sampling yang digunakan ialah total sampling. Senam Zumba dilakukan selama 4 minggu dengan frekuensi 3 kali seminggu yang berdurasi 60 menit. Persentase lemak tubuh diukur menggunakan alat berbasis bioelectrical impedance analysis. Data penelitian dianalisis dengan uji Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. Hasil penelitian mendapatkan 16 subjek. Rerata persentase lemak tubuh sebelum senam Zumba yaitu 39,300% (SD±8,1041). Rerata persentase lemak tubuh setelah senam Zumba yaitu 39,031% (SD±7,9232). Hasil uji perbandingan persentase lemak tubuh sebelum dan setelah melakukan senam zumba menunjukkan nilai P=0,065. Simpulan: Tidak terdapat perbedaan bermakna dari persentase lemak tubuh sebelum dan setelah melakukan senam zumba selama 4 minggu pada wanita dewasa.Kata kunci: persentase lemak tubuh, senam Zumba

scholarly journals PO-085 Investigation and assessment of nutritional status among Chinese elite artistic swimming athletes

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Liang Li ◽  
Jianfang Xu ◽  
Huayu Fang ◽  
Xiaojing Wang
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Energy Intake ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Early Morning ◽  
Fat Percentage ◽  
Food Material ◽  
Dietary Recall ◽  
Waist Hip Ratio

Objective The sport of artistic swimming is unique which requires a mixture of endurance, power, acrobatics, flexibility, and eurhythmics to produce an artistic performance. Optimal nutrition plays an important role in attaining high level of achievements for artistic swimming athletes, a poor nutritional status will significantly affect their health, athletic performance and post-exercise recovery. However, the assessment of nutritional status among artistic swimming athletes is very lack. The purpose of present study was to assess the nutritional status of Chinese elite artistic swimming athletes and provide suggestions for them to modify their dietary structures. Methods During the summer training season before the 17th FINA World Championships, 17 Chinese elite artistic swimming female athletes participated in this study. After an overnight fast, the anthropometric data including height, weight, BMI, body fat percentage (BF%), and waist/hip ratio were collected in the early morning around 7 a.m. before breakfast. The 24 hours dietary recall was used to collect dietary intake data of individuals, the athletes were required to record their daily dietary intake in the structured questionnaire for 2 work days and 1 weekend day. During data processing, the cooked foods were converted into raw amounts of each food material by standardized recipe method, and the nutritive value was calculated by using a dietary nutrients analysis software. Results The athletes were 19.6±1.7 years old and their training age was 10-12 years. The athletes’ BMI was 18.3±1.4 kg/m2, their BF% and waist/hip ratio was 16.6±2.6% and 0.85±0.02 respectively. Even the athletes’ body composition level was in the normal range, the BMI and BF% were lower than Russia and Spain artistic swimming athletes. The daily energy intake was 1528±276 kcal which was composed of 435±50 kcal breakfast, 477±62 kcal lunch, 402±49 kcal supper, and 214±22 kcal snacks. However, the energy intake was much lower than the recommendation of 3500 kcal/day. Carbohydrates provided approximately 51% of total energy which was lower than the practical demands, but both fats and proteins provided more energy (31.3% and 17% respectively) than the recommendations. In addition, the supplementation of many important vitamins and minerals, except vitamin E and sodium, were not reached the recommended level, for example, the consumption of vitamin C and calcium was only 46±12 mg and 430±72 mg per day. Conclusions The data showed that the nutritional status was unsatisfactory among Chinese elite artistic swimming female athletes, the dietary energy intake and many important vitamins and minerals were much lower than the recommendations. In order to keep healthy and increase the exercise performance, it was suggested that the artistic swimming athletes should modify their dietary structures to supply more energies, vitamins and minerals according to their physical conditions and training arrangements.

scholarly journals Ultrasound Techniques Applied to Body Fat Measurement in Male and Female Athletes

2009 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 142-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Claude Pineau ◽  
Jean Robert Filliard ◽  
Michel Bocquet
Keyword(s):  
Body Fat ◽  
Standard Error ◽  
Cross Validation ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Body Fat Percentage ◽  
Fat Percentage ◽  
Ultrasound Technique ◽  
Weight Category ◽  
Portable Ultrasound ◽  
Ultrasound Device

Abstract Context: For athletes in disciplines with weight categories, it is important to assess body composition and weight fluctuations. Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of measuring body fat percentage with a portable ultrasound device possessing high accuracy and reliability versus fan-beam, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Design: Cross-validation study. Setting: Research laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 93 athletes (24 women, 69 men), aged 23.5 ± 3.7 years, with body mass index  =  24.0 ± 4.2 and body fat percentage via DEXA  =  9.41 ± 8.1 participated. All participants were elite athletes selected from the Institut National des Sports et de l'Education Physique. These participants practiced a variety of weight-category sports. Main Outcome Measure(s): We measured body fat and body fat percentage using an ultrasound technique associated with anthropometric values and the DEXA reference technique. Cross-validation between the ultrasound technique and DEXA was then performed. Results: Ultrasound estimates of body fat percentage were correlated closely with those of DEXA in both females (r  =  0.97, standard error of the estimate  =  1.79) and males (r  =  0.98, standard error of the estimate  =  0.96). The ultrasound technique in both sexes had a low total error (0.93). The 95% limit of agreement was −0.06 ± 1.2 for all athletes and did not show an overprediction or underprediction bias. We developed a new model to produce body fat estimates with ultrasound and anthropometric dimensions. Conclusions: The limits of agreement with the ultrasound technique compared with DEXA measurements were very good. Consequently, the use of a portable ultrasound device produced accurate body fat and body fat percentage estimates in relation to the fan-beam DEXA technique.

scholarly journals Skrinning Dan Uji Diagnostik Obesitas Dengan Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis Dan Meteran Inci Inelastis

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 138
Author(s):  
Roselya Mutiara Pratiwi ◽  
Ni Luh Putu Arum Puspitaning Ati
Keyword(s):  
Body Fat ◽  
Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis ◽  
Sampling Method ◽  
Bioelectrical Impedance ◽  
Impedance Analysis ◽  
Screening Tools ◽  
Fat Percentage ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Percentage Of Body Fat ◽  
Cross Sectional Design

Backgound: Measurement of body fat percentage as estimates of obesity, which can be done with the method of measuring the bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and the meter inches inelastic. Both of these methods can be used as a simple, safe and non-nvasive. Objective: To analyze the comparative measurement of obesity with the BIA and the meter inches inelastic. Method: The study was observational analytic with cross sectional design. Sample were taken and selected through simple ramdomize sampling method. Data obtained directly by measuring samples that met the inclusion criteria. Obesity screening data obtained by measuring the percentage of body fat using BIA method and meter inches inelastic. Results: Based on the calculationn, as many as 65 samples taken by proportional random sampling in each specialization the student of the Faculty of Public Health 2014 Airlangga University. The percentage of female students with obesity using the BIA was 29,2% and inelastic inch meter is 21,5%. The statistical test showed t test was 0,897 ( sig>0,05). Conclusion: There are differences in the measurement result mean obesity BIA metered inches inelastic screening tools and have a good validity in measuring obesity. Suggestion : For further research it is recommended to be more accurate in measuring using an inelastic inch meter, while when using BIA  it  should use altimeter measurement because it is needed for data input. 

scholarly journals EFFECT OF LOW-IMPACT AEROBIC DANCE AND ZUMBA EXERCISES ON BODY FAT PERCENTAGE IN OBESE WOMEN

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 160-166
Author(s):  
Rizka Octaviana ◽  
Mohammad Furqon Hidayatullah ◽  
Agus Kristiyanto
Keyword(s):  
Body Fat ◽  
Severe Obesity ◽  
The Body ◽  
Obese Women ◽  
Fat Percentage ◽  
Aerobic Dance ◽  
Percentage Of Body Fat ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Mild Obesity ◽  
Skinfold Caliper

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of low-impact aerobic dance and zumba exercises in reducing the percentage of body fat in obese women in terms of the Body Mass Index (BMI). Forty obese women (mean age 33.9±7.1 years) were selected and divided into two experimental groups, namely: low-impact aerobic dance (n=20) and zumba (n=20). The participants were also divided based on the BMI which gave the mild and severe obesity groups. The research instrument was a skinfold caliper which was used to measure the thickness of the body fat. The experiment was carried out 3 times a week for 8 weeks and the participants from both groups performed exercises for a duration of 60 minutes. The analysis of data between the experimental groups showed that there were significant differences between these exercises (r=0.005; p<0.05), the levels of obesity (r=0,000; p<0.05), and there were interactions between the exercises and the levels of obesity (r=0,000; p<0,05), from the pre-test to the post-test. The results showed that low-impact aerobic dance was more effectively used in reducing the percentage of body fat in obese women at the severe levels while zumba was effectively used in reducing the percentage of body fat in obese women with mild obesity, therefore the two exercises had an influence in reducing the percentage of body fat.

scholarly journals GENDER DIFFERENCES WITH RESPECT TO NUTRITION STATUS AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVEL INDICATORS

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 1201-1207
Author(s):  
Mateja Kunješić Sušilović
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
Gender Difference ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Primary Education ◽  
Body Fat ◽  
Body Height ◽  
Nutrition Status ◽  
Upper Arm ◽  
Percentage Of Body Fat

Because of today's lifestyle, more and more children have problems with excessive body mass from the earliest age. The reasons for this are poor diet, but also insufficient physical activity. Historically, mostly girls had a slightly higher percentage of body fat and had a lower level of physical activity, but trends are changing. So, the aim of this research was to determine whether there is a gender difference in the indicators of nutrition status and the level of physical activity (PA) of primary education students. The survey was conducted on 107 students (59 girls and 48 boys) over period of four years. The measurement was carried out for 4 years in a row in February. To determine nutritional status of students, the body height, the body mass, the skin folds of the upper arm and the back were all measured. Body mass index was calculated as a ratio of body mass and the square of body height, while the percentage of body fat was calculated from the sum of skin folds on the back and upper arm. The circumference of the upper arm and the circumference of the forearm were also measured. The level of PA was tested by Fels survey questionnaire for children and adolescents. ANOVA for repeated measurements was performed to see if gender differences existed in nutrition status and body activity levels over a period of four years. Research has shown that there is no difference by gender in the level of physical activity, but there are some differences in indicators of nutritional status. More precisely, there is a significant gender difference in body height variable and it is seen that boys throughout the primary education are slightly higher than girls. In the variables of the body's volume, there was a significant gender difference in the circumference of the forearm, while in the upper arm there was no difference. During the first three grades, girls had a significantly higher percentage of body fat. However, in the fourth grade the percentage of body fat of the boys has increased so in the end, there was no gender difference. There were no significant gender differences in the physical activity variables. It can be concluded that at the time of primary education, sexual dimorphism is not as pronounced as in puberty. This is one of the reasons why a lot more research was conducted on adolescents.

Amenorrhea in Adolescent Athletes

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 84 (2) ◽  
pp. 394-395
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Anorexia Nervosa ◽  
Body Fat ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Hormonal Changes ◽  
Menstrual Cycles ◽  
Percentage Of Body Fat ◽  
Delayed Maturation ◽  
Primary And Secondary Amenorrhea ◽  
Female Gymnasts ◽  
Sports Activities

A minority of female athletes participating in ballet, gymnastics, distance running, rowing, and cycling, as well as other sports activities, occasionally experience menstrual and associated physiologic changes. Women competing in the sports of ballet and gymnastics have been reported to have a particularly increased incidence of primary and secondary amenorrhea, decreased bone density, stress fractures, and symptoms of anorexia nervosa. Results of several studies have indicated decreased levels of circulating estrogen as well as other metabolic changes. Research designed to determine the etiology of the amenorrhea and the associated changes has shown mixed results. Low body fat cannot be linked in a causative fashion to hormonal changes or decreased levels of circulating estrogen. Early studies linking minimum body fat and menarche, as well as maintenance of regular menstrual cycles, have not been replicated. However, measurement of percentage of body fat may be helpful in assessing the nutritional status of athletes. Ballet and gymnastics are perceived by some to be activities that are stressful psychologically. Although stress has been shown to cause amenorrhea, studies to date have not demonstrated the presence of significantly increased levels compared with agematched girls not participating in ballet and gymnastics. Some authors have postulated that tall, thin athletes who may be genetically at risk for delayed maturation are naturally attracted to these sports. Some of the delays may relate to preselection. However, no evidence currently exists proving a definite relationship between preselection and the physiologic changes in these athletes. There is an increased emphasis by athletes, coaches, judges, and spectators on a slender physique for female gymnasts and ballet dancers.

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