Body Composition and Performance Capabilities Based on Protein Intake in Collegiate Dancers: A Pilot Study

Abstract

The aesthetic nature of dance places pressure on the athlete to have low body weight and fat and despite data showing higher protein intake improving body composition in numerous populations, a paucity of data exists on dancers. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine associations between protein intake, body composition and performance among dancers. Female dancers (n = 25; age 20.7 ± 1.8 years; mean ± SD) completed three-day diet logs, body composition (DXA), and performance testing. Protein intake was expressed as g/kg/day and three equal tertiles were created (Low protein: LP, < 1.2 g/kg/day; Moderate protein: MP, 1.2-1.6 g/kg/day; High protein: HP, > 1.6 g/kg/day). Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA to compare group means with significance at P < 0.05. Protein and energy intake were greater in HP compared to LP (P = 0.001, 0.033, respectively). The only performance difference observed was peak horizontal force (AMTI force platform) which was significantly greater in HP compared to LP (LP: 295.7 ± 111.1N, HP: 419.9 ± 76.7N; P = 0.029). In conclusion, no significant differences were found between protein tertiles and body composition. Nevertheless, protein intake may be physiologically important to dancers when combined with evidence from other athletic populations indicating high protein and energy intake may be beneficial to body composition.