Energy Availability, Body Composition, and Phase Angle Among Adolescent Artistic Gymnasts During a Competitive Season

Background/Objectives: Energy availability (EA) is associated with Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport syndrome. This study assessed ΕΑ, body composition, and phase angle (φ) of adolescent artistic gymnasts during a competitive season. Methods: Thirty artistic gymnasts aged 11-14 years participated in the study. Anthropometric data were collected and body mass index (BMI) was assessed using the World Health Organization growth charts. Bioelectrical impedance analysis was performed and diet and physical activity were recorded for three days. Dietary and physical activity records were analyzed to estimate energy intake, total energy expenditure (TEE), and exercise energy expenditure, from which energy balance (EB) and EA were calculated. The 95% confidence ellipses of the impedance (Z) vectors were compared with a reference population using the two-sample Hotelling’s T² test. Correlations between conceptually relevant study variables were examined by Pearson’s or Spearman’s correlation analysis. Statistical significance was set at α = 0.05. Results: All participants were classified within the normal BMI category, except for one classified as overweight. Mean (± SD) fat mass, fat-free mass (FFM), and φ were 16.1 ± 3.4%, 83.9 ± 3.4%, and 6.0 ± 0.6°, respectively. The 95% confidence ellipses of Z vectors differed significantly from the reference population. Energy balance was 32 ± 223 kcal/day and EA was 49.2 ± 11.4 kcal/kg FFM/day. Energy availability was significantly correlated with EB, TEE, and body composition variables. Phase angle was significantly correlated with anthropometric and body composition variables. Conclusions: Adolescent non-elite artistic gymnasts exhibited normal body composition and EA during the competitive season.