Effects of fat loss and low energy availability on the serum cardiometabolic profile of physique athletes

Abstract
Low energy availability (LEA) is a health concern for athletes, although it may paradoxically lead to improved cardiometabolic health in the general population. We investigated the associations between LEA, body composition, and serum cardiometabolic profile in 23 physique athletes (DIET) and 21 controls (CONT) during a 5-month pre-competition diet (MID), followed by 1 week of increased energy availability (COMP) and a 5-month weight regain period (POST). Quantification of 250 serum metabolome variables was conducted by NMR spectroscopy, body composition by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, dietary intake by food diaries, and exercise levels by training logs. Body fat percentage decreased from 19.5 ± 7.0% to 8.3 ± 5.3% (p < 0.001) in DIET through increased exercise levels and decreased energy intake, while CONT maintained those constant. In MID, DIET had increased (FDR < 0.01) HDL cholesterol, HDL particle size and number, and decreased (FDR < 0.05) VLDL lipids, serum triglycerides, and low-grade inflammation (glycoprotein acetyls) compared to baseline and CONT. The changes were associated with reduced android fat mass (-78 ± 13%) and energy intake (-28 ± 10%). In COMP, most of the metabolic changes found in MID persisted, except for altered triglycerides in all lipoprotein classes. After weight regain in POST, serum metabolome, body composition, energy intake, and exercise levels had reverted to baseline levels. In conclusion, fat loss and LEA may have beneficial yet transient effects on the serum cardiometabolic profile of lean individuals. Especially the HDL lipidome and lipoprotein triglycerides offer potential novel biomarkers for detecting LEA in athletes.
Main Authors
Format
Articles Research article
Published
2024
Series
Subjects
Publication in research information system
Publisher
Wiley-Blackwell
The permanent address of the publication
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:jyu-202401121281Käytä tätä linkitykseen.
Review status
Peer reviewed
ISSN
0905-7188
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.14553
Language
English
Published in
Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports
Citation
  • Jouhki, I., Sarin, H. V., Jauhiainen, M., O’Connell, T. M., Isola, V., Ahtiainen, J. P., Hulmi, J.J., & Perola, M. (2024). Effects of fat loss and low energy availability on the serum cardiometabolic profile of physique athletes. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, 34(1), Article e14553. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.14553
License
CC BY 4.0Open Access
Additional information about funding
The research was funded by a financial grant from the Novo Nordisk Foundation (grant no. NNF16OC0020866 (M.P.)).
Copyright© 2024 The Authors. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science In Sports published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd

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