EVALUATION OF BODY COMPOSITION AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS IN MORDERN RHYTHMIC GYMNASTS / 中国运动医学杂志

ABSTRACT

The method of under--water weighing was used to measure the body composition of seventeen rhythmicgymnasts and four ordinary women. The average fat percentage was found to be 19. 0% in the gymoasts and26. 4% in the non--gytnnasts. The fat oercentage in the body composition of an athlete is not directly proportional to her body weight.It is inversely proportional to her training level. Therefore, in evaluating the physical condition of an athlete,her fat percentage must be taken into account. An artistic gymnast who is reducing bodyweight shows a negative energy belance of 50. 5% and insuffi-cient intake of protein and vitamins. Reduction of bodyweight should therefore be carried out under medicalsupervision.