Low Energy Availability, Nutrition, Physical Performance
Conditions
Keywords
Body Composition, Energy Availability, Physical Fitness, Division I Collegiate Cheerleaders and Dancers, Nutrition
Brief summary
This study aims to investigate performance differences between collegiate cheerleaders and dancers classified as normal weight obese and those classified as normal weight lean. The study will assess differences in physical performance, lifestyle behaviors, muscle quality, and nutrition-related factors between groups. Performance testing, body composition assessment, and questionnaire-based measures will be used to characterize these relationships.
Detailed description
This study focuses on understanding body composition-related differences in performance among collegiate cheerleaders and dancers, a population that relies heavily on strength, power, and aesthetic presentation for successful performance. Obesity is commonly classified using body mass index (BMI); however, BMI may fail to identify individuals with excess adiposity, particularly in athletic populations. One such classification is normal-weight obesity, which describes individuals with a normal BMI but elevated body fat percentage and increased risk for impaired muscle function and reduced physical performance. Aesthetic athletes, including cheerleaders and dancers, may be particularly susceptible to this condition due to sport-specific performance demands and body composition expectations. This study aims to determine whether performance outcomes differ between normal weight obese and normal weight lean cheerleaders and dancers, with specific focus on measures of power, strength, and muscle quality. In addition, the study examines differences in lifestyle behaviors, compositional and functional muscle characteristics of the upper leg, and nutrition-related factors between groups. By integrating body composition assessment, physical performance testing, and questionnaire-based measures, this study seeks to better characterize normal-weight obesity in this population. Ultimately, the findings may help clarify how body composition and lifestyle factors relate to performance in collegiate cheer and dance athletes.
Interventions
None listed
Sponsors
Florida State University
Study design
Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 30 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Must be a part of either the Florida State University dance or cheer team * Sex: Female * Age: 18-30 * BMI: Normal (18.5 - 24.9 kg/m2)
Exclusion criteria
* Not biologically female * Have a diagnosed and unresolved eating disorder * Not weight stable (defined as a gain/loss of more than \~7.7 lbs in the past 2 months) * Participants who are pregnant or who become pregnant during the study
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Availability (kcals/kg FFM) | 7 days | Energy availability will be assess by subtracting exercise energy expenditure from energy intake relative to fat free mass. This will be assessed daily for 7 continuous days. |
| Physical Fitness | Day of study enrollment | Physical fitness will be assessed via maximal jump height (in inches) using a double leg (and single leg counter movement jump and a maximal isokinetic leg extension and leg curl (expressed in kgs). |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Subjective Sleep | Day of study enrollment | The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) will be used to assess subjective sleep quality, while the Athlete Sleep Behavior Questionnaire (ASBQ) will be used to assess subjective sleep behavior. A score of \>42 on the ASBQ indicates poor sleep behavior. A score \>5 on the PSQI indicates poor sleep quality. |
| Body Composition | Day of study enrollment | Body Composition will be assessed via Air Displacement Plethysmography on the first day of study enrollment. |
| Muscle Quality - Echo Intensity | Day of study enrollment | Ultrasound echo intensity will be used to assess intramuscular fat. |
| Nutrition Knowledge | Day of study enrollment | Knowledge of nutrition based on the Abbreviated Nutrition for Sports Knowledge Questionnaire (ANSKQ). The maximum score is 100%. The minimum score is 0%. Higher scores indicate better nutrition knowledge. |
| Muscle Quality - Muscle Thickness | day of study enrollment | Muscle thickness of the rectus femoris will be assessed via ultrasound |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed