Comparison of Activity Factor, Predicted Resting Metabolic Rate, and Intakes of Energy and Nutrients Between Athletic and Non-Athletic High School Students

ABSTRACT

This study compared activity factor, predicted resting metabolic rate (RMR), and nutrient intakes between athletic and non-athletic high school students in Gangwon-do. Fifty soccer players (30 males and 20 females; mean ages 16.7+/-1.0 years and 16.4+/-1.1 years, respectively) and 50 non-athletic (30 males and 20 females; mean ages 17.5+/-0.4 years and 16.4+/-1.1 years respectively) high school students were included. Anthropometric measurements included weight and height, triceps skinfold, mid-arm circumference, and body fat. Prediction equations consisted of those from the Harris-Benedict, FAO/WHO/UNU, IMNA, Cunningham, Mifflin et al., and Owen et al. A one-day activity diary was collected by interview, and the 24-hour recall method was used to analyze nutrient intakes of subjects. The activity factors of the male and female athletic groups (2.23 and 2.16, respectively) were significantly higher than those (1.52 and 1.46, respectively) of the non-athletic group. There was only a significant difference in RMR by use of the Cunningham's equation between two groups. For the males, almost all nutrient intakes of the athletic group (except carbohydrate, iron, vitamin B1, B6, and niacin) of athletic group were significantly higher than those of the non-athletic group. The female athletic group showed significantly higher nutrient intakes with the exception of most vitamins. These results suggest that assessments of energy balance between energy intake and energy expenditure by employing RMR and activity factors would be useful to prevent and treat obesity in high school athletes. In addition, the Cunningham's equation would be appropriate for predicting their energy needs.