SCHOFIELD BMR CALCULATOR PROFESSIONAL

The Cunningham 5 equation gained popularity for use with able-bodied athletes after studies indicated that this equation provided the most accurate REE estimate when compared to indirect calorimetry able measurements of female and male endurance athletes. The American College of Sport Medicine 3 recommends the use of Harris-Benedict 4 and Cunningham equations for athletes. Additionally, this equation uses height as a predictive measure, which is difficult to measure in this population 2. One equation has been developed in a spinal cord injured (SCI) population, however, subjects were a sedentary population of 28 individuals (male and female). Currently, the available equations are those that were obtained from studies based on the general population. The alternative option is the use of predictive equations, derived from calorimetry studies, which allow an estimation of REE.

However, these techniques require expensive equipment and specialised personnel, and are not always accessible. The most accurate techniques to assess REE are the doubly labelled water method, and direct and indirect calorimetry. An inaccurate estimation of REE can lead to the over- or under-prediction of energy requirements, potentially leading to positive or negative energy balance, which may affect sporting performance. While REE is the main determinant of TDEE in sedentary populations, the contribution varies widely in an athlete population according to training loads. REE (alternatively known as resting metabolic rate or RMR) represents the energy (kcal/day) required to sustain the metabolic activities of cells and tissues and to maintain the basal cost of living, measured under resting conditions, in a fasting state and a thermoneutral environment and extrapolated over 24 hours. Energy expended throughout the day or total daily energy expenditure (TDEE), consists of basal energy expenditure (BEE) or resting energy expenditure (REE), thermic effect of feeding (TEF) and energy expended through physical activity (EEEx). Therefore, the aim of this paper is to summarise the research available and to provide some practical insight into the factors that should be considered when determining the energy requirements of para athletes.Įnergy requirement can be defined as “the average dietary energy intake that will compensate for energy expenditure 1”. Besides the scarce literature in this area, most studies currently available were either conducted on impaired non-athletes, had very small subject numbers or are simply outdated.

SCHOFIELD BMR CALCULATOR PROFESSIONAL

One of the main challenges a sport and exercise professional faces when working with para athletes is estimating their energy requirements. This, in turn, prevents the possibility of low energy availability and provides direction for changes in diet and/or training to better support desired physique changes (increased muscle mass, reduced body fat) or improvements in training performance. Having a reasonable estimate of energy requirement (ER) is important to determine the adequacy of energy intake to cover the demands of sport. – Written by Elizabeth Broad, USA and Claudia Juzwiak, Brazil

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