Background:

Energy intake (EI) from daily meals, corresponding to total energy expenditure (TEE), is essential for maintaining good physical condition and performance in athletes. Athletes who continue high-intensity training while consuming insufficient energy from their daily diet are at risk for health problems, such as iron deficiency anemia, endocrine dysfunction, and energy metabolism disorders.

Objectives:

This study aimed to examine the altered health risks in athletes when EI was increased to meet TEE from a daily diet.

Design:

Case series study with dietary intervention.

Methods:

Participants were six female long-distance runners classified as Tier 3. TEE was measured before the nutritional intervention using the doubly labeled water technique to determine the individual target EI and meal content during the intervention. The nutritional intervention was implemented for 6 weeks; sports dietitians provided weekly nutritional advice to each participant on how to eat to meet TEE, in addition to providing appropriate meals (breakfast and dinner) throughout the intervention period. Body composition measurements, resting metabolic rate (RMR) measurements, and blood tests were performed before and after the 6-week nutrition intervention.

Results:

A mean negative energy balance before the intervention in all participants (−548 kcal/day) improved to −31 kcal/day during the intervention. Carbohydrate intake improved to recommended levels (>7 g/kg body weight/day). Five participants were classified as having stage 1 anemia before the intervention, but the condition of four participants improved or was in a recovery process after the intervention. In addition, the suppression of RMR (21.8 and 24.2 kcal/kg fat-free mass/day) in two participants returned to the normal range.

Conclusion:

In this case series, consciously increasing daily EI from meals to meet TEE was associated with a favorable change in health risks, such as improved iron status, recovered from RMR suppression, and decreased cortisol levels. Additionally, practical nutritional advice from sports dietitians appeared to support athletes in overcoming EI challenges.

Registration:

Effect of the diet avoiding relative energy deficiency on physical condition in female long-distance runners. https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000055221;UMIN000048455

[Purpose] The Japan Sports Nutrition Association (JSNA) is an academic society that aims to contribute to people’s health and the development of sports in Japan.[Methods] After numerous communication and academic events, the JSNA and the Korean Society for Exercise Nutrition (KSEN) exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2018.[Results] Based on the MoU, the JSNA and KSEN organized academic exchange events until the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic and subsequent travel restrictions and lockdowns.[Conclusion] After four years of the pandemic and the downgrading of Coronavirus Disease 2019 infection risk, it is hoped that academic exchanges between the societies will resume gradually and enhance members’ recognition of the cooperation between the JSNA and KSEN for active collaborations in the future.

[Purpose] The current study aimed to determine the association between serum uncarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) levels and dietary vitamin K intake in female Japanese athletes.[Methods] The nutritional profile and food group intake of 52 Japanese female athletes were investigated using a digital photographic method with data obtained from 3-day dietary records. The food groups were categorized into 18 groups in line with the standard tables of food composition in Japan. Fasting blood samples were collected for serum ucOC levels, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) evaluated body composition and bone parameters.[Results] The results showed that dietary vitamin K intake level was 235 ± 148 µg/day, and approximately 70% (n = 36) of participants consumed more than the adequate intake (AI) level, based on the Dietary Reference Intakes for Japanese females aged 18–29. Serum ucOC levels were negatively associated with daily vitamin K intake (r = −0.388, <i>P</i> = 0.004) and calcium (r = −0.596, <i>P</i> = 0.004) after adjusting for energy intake.[Conclusion] Our study revealed that serum ucOC levels were negatively associated with dietary vitamin K intake in female Japanese athletes. Serum ucOC levels reflected dietary vitamin K intake in female athletes. In summary, female athletes consume more vitamin K than the general population to maintain bone health. Furthermore, our results indicated that serum ucOC levels might be linked to dietary calcium intake.