Nutritional Inadequacies and Body Composition in Czech Competitive Rhythmic Gymnasts: A Pilot Study
- 1Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, 165 00 Praha, Czech Republic
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Rhythmic gymnastics combines high training demands with aesthetic pressure. This pilot study assessed dietary intake, body composition, and nutrition-related behaviours in Czech competitive rhythmic gymnasts. Methods: Fourteen female athletes (juniors aged 13–15 years, n = 6; seniors aged 16–20 years, n = 8) completed a three-day weighed food record at the baseline and underwent multifrequency bioelectrical impedance assessment at the baseline and approximately three months later, following individualised nutrition advice. A separate online questionnaire was completed by 50 gymnasts. Results: Reported energy intake averaged 63.7% and 67.1% of the estimated requirements among juniors and seniors, respectively. Carbohydrate, fibre, vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, and potassium intakes were low relative to prespecified study benchmarks. No statistically significant within-group changes in body composition were observed. An exploratory between-group difference in changes in the extracellular-to-total body water ratio was found (unadjusted p = 0.015), requiring cautious interpretation. Among the questionnaire respondents, 68% reported weight-related pressure, 60% intentional food restriction, and 56% had never heard of relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S). Conclusions: Low reported intakes and weight-related concerns suggest potential need for qualified nutritional support. Intakes below the prespecified benchmarks do not establish individual nutritional inadequacy. The small uncontrolled cohort and absence of follow-up dietary records preclude conclusions about the effectiveness of nutritional counselling, while the short dietary assessment and age-independent benchmarks limit individual dietary interpretation and do not permit the diagnosis of clinical nutrient deficiencies, low energy availability, or RED-S.
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BibTeX
@article{jilkova2026nutritional,
title = {{Nutritional Inadequacies and Body Composition in Czech Competitive Rhythmic Gymnasts: A Pilot Study}},
author = {Anna Jílková and Kateřina Savková and Diana Chrpová and Lenka Kouřimská},
journal = {Nutrients},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/nu18213599},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/21/3599},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Nutritional Inadequacies and Body Composition in Czech Competitive Rhythmic Gymnasts: A Pilot Study
AU - Anna Jílková
AU - Kateřina Savková
AU - Diana Chrpová
AU - Lenka Kouřimská
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/30
JO - Nutrients
DO - 10.3390/nu18213599
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/21/3599
AB - Background/Objectives: Rhythmic gymnastics combines high training demands with aesthetic pressure. This pilot study assessed dietary intake, body composition, and nutrition-related behaviours in Czech competitive rhythmic gymnasts. Methods: Fourteen female athletes (juniors aged 13–15 years, n = 6; seniors aged 16–20 years, n = 8) completed a three-day weighed food record at the baseline and underwent multifrequency bioelectrical impedance assessment at the baseline and approximately three months later, following individualised nutrition advice. A separate online questionnaire was completed by 50 gymnasts. Results: Reported energy intake averaged 63.7% and 67.1% of the estimated requirements among juniors and seniors, respectively. Carbohydrate, fibre, vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, and potassium intakes were low relative to prespecified study benchmarks. No statistically significant within-group changes in body composition were observed. An exploratory between-group difference in changes in the extracellular-to-total body water ratio was found (unadjusted p = 0.015), requiring cautious interpretation. Among the questionnaire respondents, 68% reported weight-related pressure, 60% intentional food restriction, and 56% had never heard of relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S). Conclusions: Low reported intakes and weight-related concerns suggest potential need for qualified nutritional support. Intakes below the prespecified benchmarks do not establish individual nutritional inadequacy. The small uncontrolled cohort and absence of follow-up dietary records preclude conclusions about the effectiveness of nutritional counselling, while the short dietary assessment and age-independent benchmarks limit individual dietary interpretation and do not permit the diagnosis of clinical nutrient deficiencies, low energy availability, or RED-S.
SN - 2072-6643
ER -