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Evidence of negative energy balance using doubly labelled water in elite Kenyan endurance runners prior to competition

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 March 2007

Barry W. Fudge ,
Klaas R. Westerterp ,
Festus K. Kiplamai ,
Vincent O. Onywera ,
Michael K. Boit ,
Bengt Kayser  and
Yannis P. Pitsiladis
Barry W. Fudge
Affiliation:
Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, International Centre for East African Running Science (ICEARS),Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
Klaas R. Westerterp
Affiliation:
Maastricht University, Department of Human Biology, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
Festus K. Kiplamai
Affiliation:
Kenyatta University, Department of Exercise and Sports Science, PO Box 43844, Nairobi, Kenya
Vincent O. Onywera
Affiliation:
Kenyatta University, Department of Exercise and Sports Science, PO Box 43844, Nairobi, Kenya
Michael K. Boit
Affiliation:
Kenyatta University, Department of Exercise and Sports Science, PO Box 43844, Nairobi, Kenya
Bengt Kayser
Affiliation:
School of Physical Education and Sports, Institute of Movement Sciences and Sports Medicine, University of Geneva, Faculty of Medicine, Switzerland
Yannis P. Pitsiladis*
Affiliation:
Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, International Centre for East African Running Science (ICEARS),Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
*
*Corresponding author: Dr Y. P. Pitsiladis, fax +44 (0)141 330 2915, email Y.Pitsiladis@bio.gla.ac.uk
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Abstract

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Previous studies have found Kenyan endurance runners to be in negative energy balance during training and prior to competition. The aim of the present study was to assess energy balance in nine elite Kenyan endurance runners during heavy training. Energy intake and expenditure were determined over 7d using weighed dietary intake and doubly labelled water, respectively. Athletes were on average in negative energy balance (mean energy intake 13 241 (SD 1330) kJ/d v. mean energy expenditure 14 611 (SD 1043) kJ/d; P=0·046), although there was no loss in body mass (mean 56·0 (SD 3·4) kg v. 55·7 (SD 3·6) kg; P=0·285). The calculation of underreporting was 13; (range −24 to +9%) and almost entirely accounted for by undereating (9% (range −55 to +39%)) as opposed to a lack of significant underrecording (i.e. total water intake was no different from water loss (mean 4·2 (SD 0·6) l/d v. 4·5 (SD 0·8) l/d; P=0·496)). Fluid intake was modest and consisted mainly of water (0·9 (SD 0·5) l/d) and milky tea (0·9 (SD 0·3) l/d). The diet was high in carbohydrate (67·3 (SD 7·8) %) and sufficient in protein (15·3 (SD 4·0) %) and fat (17·4 (SD 3·9) %). These results confirm previous observations that Kenyan runners are in negative energy balance during periods of intense training. A negative energy balance would result in a reduction in body mass, which, when combined with a high carbohydrate diet, would have the potential in the short term to enhance endurance running performance by reducing the energy cost of running.

Keywords

Energy expenditureDoubly labelled waterEnergy intakeUndereatingIntense high-altitude trainingEast African endurance athletes
Type
Research Article
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Volume 95 , Issue 1 , January 2006 , pp. 59 - 66
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 2006

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