Body composition and energy balance assessment of élite female athletes in the USA and Greece

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine body composition, energy balance and tendencies towards eating disorders of female competitive athletes in two countries, USA and Greece. Data were collected using similar methodology in both countries during the non‐competitive (training) and the competitive seasons. Forty‐two athletes and 11 controls in the USA and 35 athletes and ten controls in Greece participated in the study. Comparison of the results between the countries showed that US athletes weighed more than Greek athletes but there was no significant difference in the percentage of body fat between the two groups. No significant differences were found in the energy intakes between athletes in either country. Athletes appeared to be in negative energy balance (‐380 to ‐580 kcals daily) in both seasons, in both countries.

Citation

Hasapidou, M., Fortin, R., Mastrantoni, A., English, C. and Cardwell, M. (1999), "Body composition and energy balance assessment of élite female athletes in the USA and Greece", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 99 No. 2, pp. 66-71. https://doi.org/10.1108/00346659910254231