Screening for Relative Energy Deficiency in Male Volleyball Players and the Usefulness of Accelerometers

Abstract

In recent years, thinness has become a concern in athletes worldwide. The International Olympic Committee has proposed the concept of relative energy deficiency and sounded warnings about the importance of energy intake commensurate with energy expenditure due to exercise. However, it has been suggested that it is difficult to assess this energy intake and consumption in sports. Therefore, this study screened male volleyball players for relative energy deficiency, measured their energy expenditure using accelerometers, and examined the usefulness of accelerometers in sports settings. Methods: The subjects were 10 males who belonged to a working volleyball team. Their height, weight, body fat percentage, lean body mass, basal metabolic rate, hemoglobin concentration, and bone density were measured before early morning practice. To measure activity, players were asked to wear an activity meter during practice time. Result: Screening assessment standards have not been presented in Japan. Therefore, we used the value of adult BIM < 17.5 kg/m 2 used by the American College of Sports Medicine as the first stage of screening for available energy deficiency. No player had a BMI of < 17.5 kg/m 2 . In addition, no athlete had a hemoglobin concentration of < 13.0 g/dl. Discussion: All athletes measured in this study answered that they did not know their own daily energy consumption. Considering the paucity of data on male volleyball players and the concern about the lack of available energy, it is considered effective to prevent the lack of available energy by proactively measuring it if an activity meter is available for the sport.