[Assessment of nutritional status and the incidence of excess body fat mass under normal body mass index in female rhythmic gymnasts].

UNLABELLED: One of the priority goals of sports medicine is maintaining athletes' health, both throughout their athletic careers and afterward. Identifying athletes with excess body fat under normal body mass index (BMI) is important for sports medicine, as excess body fat predicts the development of metabolic disorders, as well as the development of overweight and obesity after retirement. The aim of this study was to assess nutritional status using a method combining BMI and body fat percentage criteria, to identify the incidence and timing of the manifestation of excess body fat under normal BMI values in female rhythmic gymnasts.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

A total of 239 female rhythmic gymnasts aged 6-20 years were examined. Anthropometric measurements were performed using standard methods. Body composition was determined using bioelectrical impedance analysis using an ABC-02 MEDASS analyzer. Nutritional status was assessed using the WHO AnthroPlus program and a method combining BMI and body fat percentage evaluation, which allows for the detection of hidden conditions such as excess body fat with a normal BMI.

RESULTS

Using the combined method of assessing BMI and body fat percentage, 14 (5.9%) gymnasts had elevated body fat with a normal BMI. These athletes had lower lean body mass and skeletal muscle mass than gymnasts with normal body fat. Thirty athletes were identified as having a body type characterized by normal lean body mass and BMI values with insufficient fat mass. Eight athletes (3.3% of those examined) were underweight; one of them was diagnosed with insufficient body height.

CONCLUSION

Athletes involved in complex athletic disciplines, such as rhythmic gymnastics, are at risk of developing excess body fat despite normal BMI levels, true overweight, and true obesity, both after retirement and during puberty.