Researchers studied 56 young female rhythmic gymnasts in Spain to understand what they eat and how it affects their bodies. They found that the gymnasts, especially the younger ones, weren’t eating enough calories and weren’t getting enough fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats compared to what nutrition experts recommend. The good news is that the study didn’t find signs of serious eating disorders in these athletes. However, the researchers warn that not eating enough while training so hard could hurt both their health and their performance in gymnastics.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether young rhythmic gymnasts are eating the right amount and types of food for their intense training, and how this affects their body composition and eating attitudes.
  • Who participated: 56 female amateur rhythmic gymnasts in Spain, divided into two age groups: younger girls (10-12 years old) and teenagers (13-18 years old) who trained at gymnastics clubs.
  • Key finding: The gymnasts were eating significantly fewer calories than they should be based on their training intensity and age, and they weren’t eating enough vegetables, fruits, legumes, and healthy oils. Younger gymnasts had lower body fat and were training harder than older gymnasts.
  • What it means for you: If you’re a young gymnast or parent of one, this suggests it’s important to focus on eating enough food and including more vegetables, fruits, and healthy fats in daily meals. The study suggests working with a nutrition expert to make sure training demands are matched with proper nutrition.

The Research Details

This was a descriptive cross-sectional study, which means researchers took a snapshot in time of 56 young female rhythmic gymnasts and measured several things about them all at once. They measured the girls’ body size and composition using standard techniques (height, weight, body fat percentage, and muscle mass). They also asked the girls to write down everything they ate for three days and answer questions about their eating habits. Additionally, the researchers looked at how much the girls trained and used a questionnaire to check for any signs of unhealthy eating attitudes.

The study divided the gymnasts into two age groups to see if younger and older gymnasts had different eating patterns and body compositions. The researchers also compared what the gymnasts were eating to official nutrition recommendations for their age and activity level.

This type of study is important because it helps identify real-world problems in young athletes’ diets before they become serious health issues. By looking at actual eating patterns and body measurements together, researchers can see if the training demands are being supported by proper nutrition. This information can help coaches, parents, and the gymnasts themselves make better food choices.

The study used standardized measurement techniques (ISAK protocols) which are the gold standard for measuring body composition, making those measurements reliable. The study was relatively small (56 participants) and only included gymnasts from one region in Spain, so the findings may not apply to all young gymnasts everywhere. The study was descriptive rather than experimental, meaning it shows what’s happening but can’t prove that poor nutrition directly causes problems. The three-day food record is a good method but may not represent typical eating patterns year-round.

What the Results Show

The study found that young rhythmic gymnasts were not eating enough calories for their training level. On average, they were eating fewer calories than nutrition experts recommend for their age and activity level. This was especially true for the younger gymnasts (ages 10-12), who were actually training harder than the older teenagers despite being younger.

When looking at specific foods, the gymnasts weren’t eating enough vegetables, fruits, legumes (beans and lentils), and healthy oils. However, they were eating more protein and sugar than recommended. The younger gymnasts had noticeably lower body fat percentages and smaller waist measurements compared to the older gymnasts, which makes sense given their intense training.

Interestingly, when the researchers used a questionnaire to look for signs of eating disorders, they didn’t find serious problems. However, the older teenagers did show slightly higher scores on the eating attitudes test, suggesting they may have had more concerns about food and body image than the younger girls.

The younger gymnasts had higher percentages of body water and mineral mass compared to the older gymnasts, which reflects their lower overall body fat. The study also confirmed that the younger group had significantly higher training loads relative to their body size. The dietary analysis showed that while protein intake was high, it may not have been balanced with enough carbohydrates and healthy fats to support their training.

Previous research has shown that rhythmic gymnastics is a sport with higher risks of eating disorders and body image concerns compared to other sports. This study adds to that knowledge by showing that even when formal eating disorders aren’t present, the eating patterns of young gymnasts may still be inadequate for their training demands. The findings align with other research showing that young female athletes in aesthetic sports often don’t eat enough.

The study only included 56 gymnasts from one region in Spain, so results may not apply to gymnasts in other countries or training environments. The three-day food record may not represent what the gymnasts eat throughout the year, as eating patterns can change seasonally. The study didn’t include a comparison group of non-gymnasts the same age, so we can’t be completely sure whether the eating patterns are unique to gymnasts or common in all active young girls. The study was conducted at one point in time, so we don’t know if these patterns continue over months or years.

The Bottom Line

Young rhythmic gymnasts should work with parents, coaches, and ideally a sports nutrition specialist to ensure they’re eating enough calories to match their training intensity (moderate to high confidence). They should specifically focus on eating more vegetables, fruits, legumes, and healthy fats like olive oil and nuts (moderate confidence). Coaches and parents should monitor that young athletes are eating regular, balanced meals rather than restricting food intake (moderate confidence). Regular check-ins about eating habits and body image concerns are recommended, especially for teenagers (moderate confidence).

Young female rhythmic gymnasts and their parents should pay attention to these findings, as should coaches and gymnastics club directors. Sports nutrition specialists working with young athletes would find this information valuable. This is less relevant for gymnasts in other disciplines or young athletes in non-aesthetic sports, though some principles may apply. Adult gymnasts may have different nutritional needs and weren’t studied here.

Improvements in eating habits may show benefits within 2-4 weeks in terms of energy levels and training performance. Changes in body composition typically take 6-12 weeks to become noticeable. Long-term health benefits from better nutrition may take months to years to fully develop.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily calorie intake and compare it to personalized calorie recommendations based on age, weight, and training hours. Set a goal to meet 80-100% of recommended calories on training days.
  • Use the app to log meals and snacks for 3 days to identify gaps in vegetable, fruit, and healthy fat intake. Set reminders to include one serving of vegetables or fruit at each meal and one source of healthy fat daily.
  • Weekly review of nutrition adequacy scores, monthly tracking of energy levels and training performance, and quarterly assessment of whether eating patterns are supporting training goals. Flag any concerning patterns in eating attitudes for discussion with parents or coaches.

This research describes eating patterns in a specific group of young gymnasts and should not be used for self-diagnosis. Young athletes with concerns about their nutrition, body image, or eating behaviors should speak with their parents, coaches, and healthcare providers. If you suspect an eating disorder, please contact a healthcare professional or eating disorder specialist. This study provides general information and is not a substitute for personalized medical or nutritional advice from qualified professionals.