Do paralympic track and field athletes have low energy availability? / Os atletas do atletismo paralímpico tem baixa energia disponível?

Abstract One of the greatest challenges when working with athletes is to achieve the energy demands for physiological processes and exercise expenditure. The aim of this study was to assess the energy availability (EA) of Paralympic track and field athletes (sprinters). Seventeen athletes (9 male and 8 female) with visual impairment (VI, n=10), cerebral palsy (CP, n=4) and limb deficiency (LD, n=3) were assessed for energy intake (EI) (4-day food photographic record), energy expenditure with exercise (EEex) (motion sensor), and body composition (skinfolds method). Energy availability was estimated using the equation: EA = (EIkcal - EEexkcal) / fat-free mass (FFM) / day, and values ≤ 30kcal/kgFFM/day were considered as low energy availability (LEA). EEex varied from 130 to 477kcal/h and athletes trained in average for 3.2 hours per day. Mean EA for VI, LD and CP were 36 (2.19), 37 (1.90) and 38 (3.38) kcal/kgFFM/day, respectively. Most (82.3%) participants presented EA below ≥ 45kcal/kgFFM/day, throughout the days, which are the recommended values for athletes without disability. Athletes should be encouraged to consume adequate EA to avoid consequences related to low energy availability. There is need of further research to identify cut-off values adequate for this population.

Resumo Um dos maiores desafios ao trabalhar com atletas é alcançar as demandas de energia para os processos fisiológicos e despesas com exercícios. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a disponibilidade de energia (EA) dos atletas paralimpico de atletismo (velocistas). Dezessete atletas (9 homens e 8 mulheres) com deficiência visual (VI, n=10), paralisia cerebral (CP, n=4) e deficiência motora (LD, n=3) foram avaliados quanto à ingestão de energia (EI) (4 dias de registro fotográfico dos alimentos), gasto de energia com exercício (EEex) (sensor de movimento) e composição corporal (método de dobras cutâneas). A disponibilidade de energia foi estimada usando a equação: EA = (EIkcal - EEexkcal) / massa livre de gordura (FFM) / dia e, os valores ? 30kcal/kgFFM/dia foram considerados como baixa disponibilidade de energia (LEA). O EEex variou de 130 a 477kcal/h e os atletas treinaram em média por 3,2 horas por dia. A EA média para VI, LD e CP foi 36 (2,19), 37 (1,90) e 38 (3,38) kcal/kgFFM/dia, respectivamente. A maioria (82,3%) participantes apresentaram EA abaixo de ? 45kcal/kgFFM/ dia, ao longo dos dias, que são os valores recomendados para atletas sem deficiência. Os atletas devem ser encorajados a consumir EA adequada para evitar conseqüências relacionadas a baixa disponibilidade de energia. Há necessidade de pesquisas adicionais para identificar valores de corte adequados para essa população.

Individual study of anthropometric variation, energy and macronutrients intakes in Paralympic Track and Field athletes in different phases of the season

a) to measure individual variations in body mass (BM), sum of skinfolds (SSF) and energy intake of Paralympic track and field athletes b) to evaluate whether individual consumption of macronutrients meets recommended levels in three distinct periods of training. Methods: Ten Paralympic track and field athletes were evaluated during three periods: 1) end of season, 2) after vacation, and 3) preparation for the Paralympic Games London 2012. Food history and the 24-hour Dietary Recall methods provided information on daily food intake. To assess changes in body composition, we measured skinfolds and BM. Descriptive statistics were utilized to describe individual results. Results: BM varied among athletes and phases, but most (n=8) had higher SSF after vacation. Four athletes reported an increase in energy intake of more than 500 kcal during their vacation period, while eight athletes reported maintaining their intake in the preparatory phase for the competition. Carbohydrate intake was adequate for most athletes in the end of season period and in the preparatory phase for competition, and most athletes had reduced lipid intake after vacation and in the preparatory phase. Conclusion: We observed important variations in BM and SSF, in food intake and macronutrients between the three evaluated periods. The nutritional status of the athletes suggests that inadequacies that might affect the performance of sprinters and middle-distance runners are more likely to occur during the preparatory period before competitions.(AU)

Comparison of Measured and Predictive Values of Basal Metabolic Rate in Brazilian Paralympic Track and Field Athletes.

UNLABELLED: To compare basal metabolic rate (BMR) predicted by different equations with measured BMR of the Brazilian paralympic track & field team aiming to verify which of these equations is best suited for use in this group. METHOD: 19 male and 11 female athletes grouped according to functional classification (vision impairment-VI, limb deficiency-LD, and cerebral palsy-CP) had their BMR measured by indirect calorimetry and compared with values predicted by different equations: Cunningham, Owen, Harris-Benedict, FAO/OMS, Dietary Reference Intakes, and Mifflin. Body composition data were obtained by skinfold measurements. Results were reported as mean and standard deviation and analyzed using the Wilcoxon test and Pearson's Correlation Coefficient. The Root Mean Squared Prediction Error (RMSPE) was calculated to identify the similarity between the estimated and predicted BMR. RESULTS: Mean measured BMR was 25 ± 4.2, 26 ± 2.4, and 26 ± 2.7 kcal/kg of fat free mass/day for VI, LD, and CP, respectively. Owen's equation had the best predictive performance in comparison with measured BMR for LD and CP athletes, within 104 and 125 kcal/day, while Mifflin's equation predicted within 146 kcal/day for VI athletes. CONCLUSION: for this specific group of athletes the Owen and Mifflin equations provided the best predictions of BMR.