Energy Availability of Female Varsity Volleyball Players

Abstract

Female athletes should aim to achieve energy balance to maintain health and have a high performance output. The purpose of this study was to investigate energy availability (EA) among members of a medium-size Canadian Interuniversity Sport women's volleyball team and to describe exercise energy expenditure (ExEE) during practices, game warm-ups, and games. Total daily energy expenditure was assessed over 7 d using the Bodymedia Sensewear Mini armband, while energy intake (EI) was measured with dietary food logs. Body composition was assessed using air-displacement plethysmography (Bod Pod). Energy availability was calculated using the equation EA = (EI(kcal) - ExEE(kcal))/kg fat-free mass (FFM). Participants consumed 3,435 (±1,172) kcal/day and expended 3479 (± 604) kcal/day. Mean EA was 42.5 kcal·kg FFM(-1) d(-1) across all 7 d, and 2 participants fell below the 30-kcal·kg FFM(-1)·d(-1) threshold. Furthermore, participants expended 511 (± 216), 402 (± 50), and 848 (± 155) kcal during practices, game warm-ups, and games, respectively. Overall, the participants were relatively weight stable and should be encouraged to continue fueling their exercise and high ExEE needs with appropriate nutritional strategies.