Energy intake and energy expenditure in elite lightweight female rowers

The training program undertaken by many athletes will affect directly the total, habitual energy requirements of that individual. Unless that energy requirement is met via the diet and or supplementation, chronic negative energy balance will ensue, which will have both short-term and long-term effects not only on performance but also on general health. The aim of this research was therefore to determine the energy expenditure (EE) and hence energy requirements of lightweight female rowers and, further, to compare this with their self-reported energy intake (EI).

The EI of seven lightweight female rowers was measured using a self-reported 4-d weighed dietary record. EE was determined using the doubly labeled water (DLW) technique over a 14-d period.

The mean (+/-SD) age, height, and weight of the subjects was 20 (+/-1.1) yr, 168.8 (+/-4.7) cm, and 60.9 (+/-2.3) kg, respectively. The rowers self-reported EI was 2,214 (+/-313) kcal x d(-1) and their total EE was 3,957 (+/-1,219) kcal x d(-1). After adjusting total EE for changes in body weight (mean (+/-SD) -1.2 (+/-1.2) kg), the comparison between adjusted EI and reported showed a bias to underreporting of 1,133 (+/-1,539) kcal x d(-1) or 34%. The bias was not consistent across adjusted EI, and two of the seven subjects overreported their intake.

Due to the underreporting of EI, diet recording may not be an appropriate way of assessing energy requirements in lightweight female rowers. A benefit of accurately determining energy requirements, as with DLW, is that female lightweight rowers will be able to successfully manipulate their EI and achieve the set weight cut-off for participation without compromising their health or performance.