Energy intake and expenditure in pre-professional ballet dancers

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Energy intake and expenditure in pre-professional ballet dancers

• IRAS ID

  226798

• Contact name

  Rita Civil I Vinallonga

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Stirling

• Duration of Study in the UK

  0 years, 5 months, 31 days

• Research summary

  In ballet dance, like in aesthetic sports, there is a high importance of the appearance and beauty of the body in its movement and shape. The expectation of achieving/maintaining the ideal physique can lead to reduced energy intake, sometimes accompanied with unhealthy behaviors and practices. Dancers have also been recognized to be at high risk of low energy availability, which can lead to many negative health and performance effects. In fact, high prevalence of relative energy deficiency, menstrual dysfunction, disordered eating, and impaired bone health has been reported in dance populations.

  Energy demands and characteristics of dance activities have also been studied, and research has found differences in artistic and physical demands of ballet and contemporary styles. Hence, dancers would benefit from a better understanding of their typical dietary and exercise habits, and analysis of their energy availability, body composition, and physiological functions status.

  To date, no study has simultaneously characterised dietary intake and energy expenditure patterns in pre-professional ballet dancers using validated methodology. This study will fill this important gap in the literature. Male and female pre-professional ballet dancers will be recruited in our study to determine energy intake and expenditure during a 7-day period. Body composition, menstrual function, energy availability, and eating behaviors will be assessed in this investigation.

• REC name

  West of Scotland REC 3

• REC reference

  17/WS/0105

• Date of REC Opinion

  17 Jul 2017

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion