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Like sports
individuals, athletes have greater bone mineral content, bone density and
skeletal muscle mass. Therefore
the density of an athletic male and female
will be greater.
The use of generalized equations over estimates Fat Free Mass. It is now
clear that such equations
cannot be used to accurately estimate the Fat
Free Mass (FFM).
It is important to recognize that there may be an optimal body weight and
body composition to increase
performance, however values may vary among
individual athletes. It is therefore important to set individual
goals for
athletes that fall within a range of body fat values than to expect all
athletes in that same sport to
achieve the same level of body fatness.
Otherwise this could lead to unsafe practices in weight loss resulting in
eating
disorders.
We recommend that body composition of an athlete should also be assessed
at the beginning and at the end of each
season training period. Advice
should be requested from a professional nutritionist, dietician, or
physician to developing
dietary recommendations for weight loss, gain and
exercise prescription for fat loss and Fat Free Mass gains.
It is important that after the first assessment all subsequent tests are
performed in the same category and full records
maintained. Maltron’s
Client Record Sheet can be used to build a history of body composition. |
