Determination of physical, physiological and nutritional parameters of elite athletes in esthetic sports

Determination of Physical, Physiological and Nutritional Parameters of Elite Athletes in Esthetic Sports Aesthetic appearance has more importance in some sports like gymnastics, figure skating and ballet. Nutritional deficiencies occur in elite level athletes in these branches who suffered from intensive training program and strict weight control. These situations may result in female athlete triad syndrome for especially female athletes. Increased disability, the weakening of the immune system, menstrual disorders and increased risk of bone fracture due to abnormal bone mineralization impair the quality of life and threaten the health of athletes. The purpose of this study was to determine body composition, nutrition and hydration status, bone mineral density levels and some physiological parameters in aesthetic branch athletes such as gymnastics, figure skating and ballet. Healthy, up to 18 years old, fifteen female and male athletes in gymnastics, figure skating and ballet were participated voluntarily to the study. The body composition, resting metabolic rate, hydration status, bone mineral density, nutritional habit and menstruation period of the athletes were assessed and some health parameters in blood about bone metabolism, anemia and infection were evaluated. It was found that there were inadequate daily energy consumption and vitamin- mineral intake, D vitamin, calcium and iron, in nutrition for especially female athletes. Fat ratio was more than and carbohydrate ratio was less than recommended in daily energy distribution of athletes, 2/3 of athletes were dehydrated. Ballerinas had the lowest body weight and the highest body fat ratio. Menstrual irregularities and eating disorder behaviors were not seen in athletes. The highest bone mineral density was in gymnastics, while the lowest was in the control group. Because both male and female athletes have unbalanced nutrition, especially female athletes are suggested keeping under control in terms of risk of "female athlete triad". Keywords: gymnastics, figure skating and ballet, bone mineral density, female athlete triad, hydration status, weight control.