Dietary intake of elite figure skating dancers.

The main objective of the present study was to examine the dietary intake and physiological status of members of the US National Figure Skating Dance Team. Study participants included seven female and seven male figure skating dance pairs. Three-day food records were collected from each dancer and analyzed using a computerized nutrient database. Height, body weight and skinfold measurements were completed on each dancer. Body fat was estimated using the Jackson et al prediction equations. Fasting blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis. Total energy intake of female dancers (1416 kcal/d, 339 kjoules/day) was considerably lower than the dietary recommendations, while the male dancers appeared to have adequate energy intake (2837 kcal/d, 679 kjoules/day). Carbohydrate intake of both male and female dancers was below the recommendations, 44% and 51%, respectively, whereas total fat and protein intake of both male and female dancers were higher than the dietary recommendations. All dancers met at least 2/3(rd) of the dietary recommendations for all micro-nutrients, except folate and zinc intake of the female dancers, which were 68% and 62% of the recommended values. Although, blood lipid concentrations and other physiological parameters of the overall group were within normal ranges, two of the dancers (14% of the dancers) had elevated blood cholesterol concentrations and low iron status. The results of the present study suggest that these elite figure skating dancers, especially females, may not be consuming adequate amounts of energy-yielding nutrients and those that influence bone health. Future studies are needed to examine the effects of nutritional status on performance of these figure skating dancers and to develop strategies to improve the nutritional status of these elite dancers.

Nutritional and physiological status of U.S. national figure skaters.

This study assessed the nutrient intake, body composition and biochemical indices of National Figure Skating Championship competitors. Four-day diet records, fasting blood samples, and anthropometric measurements were obtained 2 months after the National Championships from 41 figure skaters 11-18 years of age. Energy, carbohydrate, fat, dietary fiber and cholesterol intake were significantly lower compared to the NHANES III averages for adolescents in the U.S. In general, the mean intakes for most vitamins except vitamin D and E were above the recommended intake. But the athletes had lower intakes of vitamin E and B12, and higher intakes of vitamin C, and thiamin (females only) compared with NHANES III. The mean intakes of magnesium, zinc, and iodine by the male skaters were below the recommended levels, as were the mean intakes of calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc by the female skaters. Also, the number of servings from vegetable, fruit, dairy, and meat groups were below the recommended levels. Biochemical indices of nutritional status were within normal limits for all skaters. But plasma electrolyte concentrations were indicative of potential dehydration status. The results suggest there is a need to develop dietary intervention and educational programs targeted at promoting optimal nutrient and fluid intakes by these athletes to maintain performance and improve long-term health status.

Body image and dieting behaviors among elite figure skaters.

OBJECTIVE: This study explored links among body image, dieting behavior, and nutritional status among 40 nationally ranked junior figure skaters. METHOD: Questionnaires were provided to 40 junior skaters (range 12.9-22.9 years) during a skaters' camp. Food intakes were recorded over 4 consecutive days and blood samples were drawn. Nutritional status was assessed using food intake records and selected biomarker data. RESULTS: Data suggested that these athletes dieted despite relative satisfaction with body image. Although biochemical measures of nutritional status were all within normal range, inadequate energy intakes and delayed menarche (in women) were widespread in this athlete sample. DISCUSSION: Data dispute common theories of dieting being linked to dissatisfaction with body image. The article also cautions against overreliance on biochemical assessment as a marker of nutritional inadequacy.

Pyridoxic acid excretion during low vitamin B-6 intake, total fasting, and bed rest.

Vitamin B-6 metabolism in 10 volunteers during 21 d of total fasting was compared with results from 10 men consuming a diet low only in vitamin B-6 (1.76 mumol/d) and with men consuming a normal diet during bed rest. At the end of the fast mean plasma concentrations of vitamin B-6 metabolites and urinary excretion of 4-pyridoxic acid tended to be higher in the fasting subjects than in the low-vitamin B-6 group. The fasting subjects lost approximately 10% of their total vitamin B-6 pool and approximately 13% of their body weight. The low-vitamin B-6 group lost only approximately 4% of their vitamin B-6 pool. Compared with baseline, urinary excretion of pyridoxic acid was significantly increased during 17 wk of bed rest. There was no increase in pyridoxic acid excretion during a second 15-d bed rest study. These data suggest the possibility of complex interactions between diet and muscle metabolism that may influence indexes that are frequently used to assess vitamin B-6 status.

Response of vitamin B-6 content of muscle to changes in vitamin B-6 intake in men.

Previous reports indicated that in growing rats the vitamin B-6 pool in muscle was relatively stable during deficiency but increased in response to increased vitamin B-6 intake. To determine whether human muscle would show a similar response 10 college-aged males received a low vitamin B-6 diet (1.76 mumol/d) for 6 wk followed by 6 wk on a self-selected diet supplemented with 0.98 mmol pyridoxine HCl/d. During depletion, excretion of pyridoxic acid rapidly adjusted to approximate the intake. Plasma pyridoxal phosphate concentrations at the end of the baseline, depletion, and supplementation periods were 81 +/- 51, 9 +/- 3, and 455 +/- 129 nmol/L, respectively, whereas muscle concentrations were 21 +/- 9, 20 +/- 4, and 25 +/- 7 nmol/g, respectively and total vitamin B-6 in muscle was 28 +/- 10, 27 +/- 4, and 35 +/- 10 nmol/g, respectively. These data provide further confirmation that the vitamin B-6 pools in skeletal muscle are resistant to depletion. They also demonstrate that in humans with constant body weight, vitamin B-6 supplementation is not associated with marked increases in vitamin B-6 in muscle.