Gymnastics is a unique sport that demands enormous strength, flexibility, coordination, intense concentration, motivation, and dedication in order to excel. Experts often argue that gymnasts are stronger, pound for pound, than any other athlete. Nutrition plays a major role in a gymnast's growth and development, and has a direct effect on training and performance. For a gymnast to achieve a lean, muscular body, he or she must be devoted to exercise, training, and a well balanced diet.

Gymnastics is actually considered a speed event due to the high-intensity work. The fast-twitch muscle fibers of gymnasts have a limited ability to burn fat. To fuel activity, a gymnast's body relies on its reserves of glycogen (from carbohydrate foods). Primarily stored in the liver and muscle, glycogen constitutes the body's major carbohydrate reserve. When the body requires more energy for an intense workout it pulls it from its glycogen reserves.

An optimal diet for a gymnast is (1) rich in carbohydrates (60-65% of total calories), (2) includes an adequate supply of protein (12-15% of total calories), and (3) is low in fat (20-25% of total calories). However, the actual number of calories any athlete needs depends on his or her body composition (amount of fat and muscle) and body weight, as well as the intensity, duration, and frequency of the athlete's workouts.

Gymnasts and cheerleaders put extra demands on their bodies. More calories are used, more fluids are lost, and more stress is put on muscles, joints, and bones than in a sedentary person. Despite the demand, research shows that gymnasts between the ages of 9 and 22 years old eat from 20% to 50% less than their estimated caloric requirements.

Gymnasts often limit caloric intake to achieve a very lean body type. They tend to compare their body types with others and focus on how much they weigh. Weight becomes a measure of self-worth, causing some gymnasts to develop a "diet mentality." Proper nutrition, however, is critical to the athlete's performance and helps to prevent fatigue and injury.

An athlete concerned about his or her weight should see a health care provider. A young athlete cannot find his or her healthy weight by looking on a chart or keying-in height and weight into a body mass index (BMI) on the Internet. For years, height and weight charts were the standard, but now, more scientific-based methods are used. Often, a health care provider will use a combination of measurements and a combination of facts to determine a patient's healthy weight. Height and weight, gender, age, and activity level are major factors, but they are just the beginning. Other factors that help determine a healthy weight include a patient's percent of body fat, body frame size, and waist and hip circumference. With accurate information, the health care provider can help the athlete determine if more or less calorie intake, with more or less activity, is necessary to achieve a healthy weight.

It is important to remember that inadequate calorie intake can affect growth, development, and athletic performance. It can also lead to an eating disorder. The term disordered eating refers to individuals whose eating is somewhat out of control. Those who suffer from more serious problems such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia have eating disorders. Disordered eating behaviors range from overeating and skipping meals to binging, fasting, and severe dieting. Disordered eating has been reported to occur in 15% to 62% of female athletes. Other factors that put athletes at risk for eating disorders are personality traits, such as perfectionism and obsessive behavior. Regardless of the cause, disordered eating is a serious problem that can result in nutrient deficiencies, dehydration, fatigue due to glycogen depletion, poor concentration, lack of motivation, delayed puberty, short stature, menstrual irregularities, poor bone health, and increased incidence of injuries.

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has defined a significant health problem, The Female Athlete Triad, which comprises 3 interrelated components: disordered eating, amenorrhea (absence of menstruation), and osteoporosis (thinning of the bones). Gymnasts have increased rates of disordered eating and amenorrhea. Any athlete, however, who is diagnosed with one component of the triad should be evaluated for the other components, as well.

Because there is no one cause for eating disorders, it is important to know the risk factors and recognize the symptoms. The earlier the problem is detected and treated, the less severe the long-term health problems will be. A registered dietitian, who is uniquely qualified by education, training, and experience can assist athletes with their specific nutritional requirements and can help to change disordered eating behaviors.

Belinda Barron, RDLD
Columbus, Georgia