BODY WEIGHT OF RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS ATHLETES MAY BE INCREASED IN PROPORTION TO ABNORMAL EATING ATTITUDE

Abstract

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to examine the relation among bone mineral density (BMD), body composition and eating attitude in high school rhythmic gymnastics athletes (n = 13). METHODS Informed consent was obtained before research. Body height, body mass and fat % were measured and two types of eating attitude tests (EAT-26: Garner DM et al. 1979, BITE: Henderson M et al 1987) were performed. Blood sample was collected from median cubital vein in early morning before breakfast. Parathyroid hormone (RTH), leptin and estrogene were measured. Bone mineral density (BMD) was estimated from the transmission time using ultrasound detected from calcaneus. Data was expressed relative value to age. RESULTS BMI were low values compared with that of standard value (17.8 ± 1.1: mean ± SD) but % Fat indicated almost standard values (23.8 ± 6.3 %). BMD was relatively higher for age matched value (107.0 ± 6.9). BMD had adequate positive correlations with estrogen (r = 0.712) and career of athlete (r = 0.565) respectively. BMI had adequate positive correlations to age (r = 0.719), %Fat (r = 0.829) and plasma leptin concentrations (r = 0.754) respectively. Significant spearman ± fs correlations was obtained between total scores of BITE (the degree of this score depend on bulimia) and BMI (r = 0.912). CONCLUSION Junior aesthetic athlete was very lean in spite of high BMD from these results. Their excess body mass may be mainly caused by fat which in proportion to age and stage of over eating.