Abstract

Daily energy intake by two 7 day records and daily energy expenditure by means of an activity history were measured in 9 female students of a school for ballet dancers. Body composition, resting metabolic rate and energy expenditure during a standardized activity (tredmill, 3.9 km/h) were compared with a control population, comparable in body weight, body height and age. Percent body fat did not differ between dancers and controls nor did the energy expenditure during the standardized activity. Resting metabolic rate however was significant higher in dancers compared to the controls. Mean energy intake in the ballet dancers was 9080 kJ/day which was significant lower than the calculated energy expenditure from the activity history. Because body weight of the ballet dancers did not alter since six months before this study, the energy balance however must be in equilibrium. It cannot be concluded from the data whether the calculated negative energy balance is due to an overestimation of the energy expenditure or to an underestimation of the energy intake. Verf.-Referat