Introduction: Many methods and equations for assessing body composition include sex as a variable. However, sex and gender identity do not always align. Thus, it would be beneficial to have easily performed methods of measuring body composition that did not rely on sex as a component of the assessment. For this purpose, the current study tested whether the InBody770 requires sex input to accurately measure body composition in males and females. Methods: Cisgender men and women were recruited to the study to have their body composition assessed in duplicate. Assessments were performed in a random order. ANOVAs were performed on the data reported from the InBody770 both within subjects and between groups. Results: There were no within subject differences for percent body fat (33.6 vs. 33.5 and 15.1 vs. 15.1%), estimated basal metabolic rate (1,438 vs. 1,440 and 1,842 vs. 1,842kcals/day), nor total body water (36.15 vs. 36.24 and 49.89 vs. 49.92 L) regardless of whether their sex was assigned as male or female. There were significant sex differences for percent body fat (33.5 vs. 15.1%), metabolic rate (1,438 vs. 1,842kcals), and total body water (36.15 vs. 49.92L regardless of how the individuals were identified (male or female). Conclusions: While average sex differences in percent body fat existed between males and females, the imputation of sex on the InBody770 did not influence the data produced.

Introduction: The purpose of this study to was to elucidate the potential effects of acute creatine monohydrate (CM) and branched chain amino acid (BCAA) ingestion on resting energy expenditure (REE). Methods: Young physically active individuals (n=60) were randomly allocated to a single treatment: 1) Placebo (PL), 2) CM, or 3) BCAA. Participants completed a REE test via indirect calorimetry to establish baseline REE prior to ingesting their corresponding treatment. A post-REE was then conducted 60-mins after treatment consumption. Estimate daily caloric expenditure at rest was compared between treatments. Results: PL consumption did not result in changes of REE from pre- (1691 ± 360) to post-ingestion (1671 ± 319; p= 0.395; d= 0.06). However, acute ingestion of BCAA (p= 0.008; d= 0.12) resulted in significantly higher REE pre- (1678 ± 401) versus post- (1761 ± 357) . A non-significant trend towards decreases in REE were noted pre- (1663 ± 421) to post- (1590 ± 346) for CM (p=0.056; d=0.17). The magnitude of the effects for all conditions were small or trivial. These findings suggest that while the popular supplements CM and BCAAs alter REE acutely, the small changes may not be practically important to consider for REE testing. Conclusions: While the effects were small, individualized considerations for REE testing may still be necessary, but further testing using larger and more diverse sample sizes are needed.

Introduction: Female track and field athletes have increased risk of low energy availability (LEA), disordered eating (DE), and eating disorders (ED), which are associated with health and performance consequences. This study explored LEA, DE, and ED risk among United States female track and field athletes and assessed differences in proportions between risk and competition level and bone stress injury (BSI) risk. Methods: Female track and field athletes (n = 392, aged 18-68 years) completed an online survey including the Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire (LEAF-Q), Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q), and Female Athlete Screening Tool (FAST), and self-reported BSIs. Chi-square tests of homogeneity assessed differences in proportions between competition level and BSI and LEA, DE, and ED risk. Results: 49%, 48%, and 22% of participants had high risk for LEA, DE, and ED, respectively; and concurrent risk of LEA, DE, and ED was 27%. There was a significant difference in proportions between competition level and LEA risk (X2 (3, 387) = 11.93, p = 0.008, Φ= 0.176) and ED/DE risk (X2 (3, 387) = 11.65, p = 0.007, Φ= 0.213); and BSI and LEA risk (X2 (2, 392) = 8.58, p = 0.014, Φ= 0.148). Conclusions: This study demonstrated a considerable portion of US female track and field athletes had high risk of LEA, DE, and ED.

Introduction: This study evaluated the sports nutrition knowledge of NCAA Division III (DIII) athletes, examining the influence of demographic and sport-specific factors. Nutrition is a critical component of athletic performance, recovery, and overall health, yet prior research indicates collegiate athletes often lack adequate nutrition knowledge. Methods: A total of 412 athletes, representing 17 different sports across endurance, power, and skill categories, completed the validated Abridged Nutrition for Sport Knowledge Questionnaire (A-NSKQ). The sample included freshmen through fifth-year senior athletes, predominantly Caucasian (85%). Results: The average A-NSKQ score was 17.1 out of 35 (48.9%), indicating suboptimal knowledge. Significant differences were found across multiple variables including sex (p=0.0018), class rank (p=0.0023), sport played (p<0.0001), and previous nutrition education (p=0.0011). A multiple regression analysis identified sport played (54%), class rank (16%), sex (13%), and prior nutrition education (11%) as significant predictors of A-NSKQ scores (R2 = 0.26, p < 0.01). Conclusions: These results highlight the need for targeted, evidence-based nutrition education in DIII programs. Future research should explore how improved knowledge influences dietary practices, athletic performance, and effective delivery of nutritional education.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters of lysine butyrate (LysB) to sodium (NaB) and tributyrin (TB). Methods: Ten men (29.1 ± 10.4yr) completed this randomized, three-arm, crossover clinical trial (#NCT06700785) over four visits (a screening and three testing visits). Serum butyrate and indices of affect (well-being, calm/relaxed, stressed/anxious, mood, motivation to perform tasks, alertness, and concentration) were measured prior to product ingestion, and 20-, 45-, 90-, 150-, and 210-min post-ingestion. Each butyrate product delivered a total amount of 786 mg of butyric acid. Results: There was a trend for an interaction (p=0.095) for serum butyrate concentrations, however there were no post hoc differences over time or between treatments. NaB (144±214µg/mL/min, p=0.042, d=0.75) and LysB (189±306µg/mL/min, p=0.023, d=0.86) had a significantly greater AUC0-210 than TB (108±190µg/mL/min). NaB (2.51±4.13µg/mL, p<0.001, d=1.66) and LysB (4.53±7.56µg/mL, p=0.007, d=1.11) had a significantly greater Cmax than TB (0.91±1.65µg/mL). NaB (22.5±7.91min, p=0.008, d=1.21) and LysB (20.0±0.0min, p=0.004, d=1.45) had a significantly lower Tmax than TB (51.5±21.7min). There was a main effect of time for well-being (p=0.005), calm and relaxed (p=0.013), mood (p=0.002), motivation to perform tasks (p=0.040), alertness (p=0.035), and a treatment trend for concentration (p=0.063) while there were no differences between treatments over time for stressed and anxious (p>0.10). Conclusions: This study is among the first to simultaneously evaluate three commercially available butyrate formulations in a controlled setting, which may help inform formulation-specific therapeutic strategies in the future. This PK study demonstrates that LysB and NaB exhibit greater bioavailability and more rapid systemic appearance compared to TB.

Introduction: Nutritional considerations and metabolic determinates for ultra-endurance events continue to evolve with the increasing popularity of events. This case study assessed the nutritional requirements required of 30-year-old male ultra-endurance athlete to successfully complete an endurance open-water swim. Methods: Dietary intake in preparation for the event was assessed, estimated caloric needs, and a nutritional analysis was performed on the athlete to determine nutritional intake that was required to successfully complete the endurance swim event. The athlete was monitored for 24.3 miles (Ontario, Canada to Northeast, Pennsylvania, United States). Day of nutritional changes were observed, and body composition was assessed pre- and post-event. Results: The swimmer was monitored for 11 hours, 28 minutes and 5 seconds. Determination of athletes’ potential metabolic energy would shape the energy cost to complete the endurance event. Modifications prior to the ultra-endurance swim event met the athlete’s energy requirement for training and the energy reserve needed for the endurance swim event. Conclusions: The addition of calories and nutritional modifications prior to the ultra-endurance swim event met the athlete’s energy requirement for training and the energy reserve needed for the endurance swim event. This case study highlights the importance of providing nutritional support for ultra-endurance athletes and the difficulty in predicting energy expenditure for such an event.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of Reflexive Performance Resets (RPR) compared to a dynamic warm-up and contrast training on acute athletic performance. Methods: Participants were athletes competing in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) collegiate athletes (male: 7, female: 2; average height: 180.64 ± 5.89 cm; average body mass: 76.29 ± 6.57 kg; age: 21.22 ± 1.71years; 1RM trap bar deadlift: 153.95 ± 28.35 kg; deadlift/body mass ratio: 2.02 ± 0.41). Participants in the study completed four different potentiation protocols: control (cycling), contrast training, dynamic warm-up, and RPR. The participants completed each protocol on separate days before performing a countermovement jump, which assessed mean peak displacement, acceleration, velocity, and power on a force plate, and a T-test assessed the change of direction performance. Results: A repeated measures ANOVA and independent t-tests were used to assess interactions and main effects between the protocols. A significant main effect was found when comparing the dynamic warm-up and RPR protocols in mean peak displacement (Dynamic: 0.42 ± 0.05 m; RPR: 0.36 ± 0.06 m; p = 0.001; d = 1.41; 95% Cl [-0.66,0.76), velocity (Dynamic: 2.85 ± .17 m/s; RPR: 2.7 ± .19 m/s; p =0.003; d = 1.41; 95% Cl [-0.03,0.33], and power (Dynamic: 4258 ± 541.4 w; RPR: 3964 ± 597.91 w; p = 0.005; d = 1.41; 95% Cl [-275.74,864.20]). There was also a significant main effect when comparing mean peak power between the dynamic warm-up and control protocols (Dynamic: 4258.24 ± 541.4 w; RPR: 4063.56 ± 474.41 w; p = 0.04; d = 0.38; 95% Cl [-314, 508.7]) There were no significant differences between the dynamic warm-up and RPR protocols in mean peak acceleration (Dynamic: 13.32 ± 2.4 m/s2; RPR: 13.12 ± 3.28 m/s2; p = .310 or mean peak T-test (Dynamic: 10.31 ± .78 s; RPR 10.1 ± .77 s; p = .464. Conclusions: A dynamic warm-up was shown to be most effective for improving acute countermovement jump performance when compared to RPR, contrast training, and a control protocol.

Introduction: Obesity and the metabolic syndrome are leading causes of increased healthcare utilization, preventable illness, and premature death. Future emergency department (ED) based strategies may include the use of consumer wearable activity trackers (WATs). Our objective was to characterize patterns of use and acceptability of WATs in ED patients and examine differences based on demographic and socioeconomic factors. Methods: This was a survey-based study addressing: 1) current or prior use of WATs, and 2) future interest in WAT use and willingness to share associated data with researchers. Any adult patient presenting to the ED was included, with enrollment at two large, urban academic medical centers. Results: A total of 169 participants were included, with 27% reporting current WAT use. WAT users were significantly younger (p<0.01) with higher rates of employment (p=0.01), income (p=0.03), and education (p=0.02) compared to non-WAT users. WAT users were less likely to report comorbidities including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes mellitus (all p<0.01). Cost was the most prohibitive barrier among non-WAT users. Importantly, >90% were open to wearing WATs and sharing activity data with researchers. Conclusions: Results indicate that although current WAT use is limited, most ED patients express interest in future use and willingness to share activity data with researchers.