Abstract:
Energy Balance is where energy intake (EI) equals the energy expenditure (EE).
When EI > EE, it is known as energy surplus (+EB) and, when the EE > EI, it is
known as energy deficit (-EB). This study examines the impact of energy balance on
the body composition of Sport Sciences undergraduates. Sport sciences
undergraduates (n = 101) voluntarily participated and completed the assessments at
the beginning and the end of the study year (42 weeks). The body composition and
basal metabolic rate (BMR) were measured using the bioelectrical impedance
analyzer. EI was measured by the three-day food diary. The EE was calculated by
adding the thermic effect of food expenditure and physical activity energy
expenditure (International Physical Activity Questionnaire), and BMR. A total of 35
female (55%) and 11 (30%) male undergraduates reported an average of +EB of
319248 kcal, 189177 kcal respectively while 29 females (45%) and 26 male (70%)
undergraduates reported an average -EB of -244163 kcal and -421 262 kcal
respectively. Undergraduates with +EB displayed an increase in their Bodyweight
(Bw), Fat Mass (FatM), and Fat Free Mass (FFM), while -EB undergraduates
displayed a decrease in their Bw, FatM, and FFM. Only female undergraduates with
-EB significantly reduced their Bw from 54.74 ± 10.88 kg to 52.55 ± 10.81 kg
(t = -4.63, P = 0.000), FatM from 16.66 ± 7.35 kg to 15.75 ± 7.48 kg (t = -3.05,
P = 0.005) and FFM from 38.08 ± 4.05 kg to 37.17 ± 3.99 kg (t = -3.91,
P = 0.001).Positive and -EB exhibited a significant impact only on the female Bw
(0.57±2.09 kg, -2.19±2.55 kg, t(54) = 4.68, P = 0.000), FatM (0.21±1.85 kg,
-0.91±1.61 kg, t(61) = 2.60, P = 0.012) and FFM (0.21±1.01 kg, -0.91±1.26 kg,
t(53) = 3.88 , P = 0.000). Therefore, our results have shown that the -EB has a
significant negative impact on the female body composition which also reflects on
their dietary pattern.
