The diagnostic-measurement method—resting energy expenditure assessment of polish children practicing football

Abstract

Establishing the amount of energy needed to cover the energy demand of children doing sport training and thus ensuring they achieve an even energy balance requires the resting energy expenditure (REE) to be estimated. One of the methods that measures REE is the indirect calorimetry method, which may be influenced by many factors, including body composition, gender, age, height or blood pressure. The aim of the study was to assess the correlation between the resting energy expenditure of children regularly playing football and selected factors that influence the REE in this group. The study was conducted among 219 children aged 9 to 17 using a calorimeter, a device used to assess body composition by the electrical bioimpedance method by means of segment analyzer and a blood pressure monitor. The results of REE obtained by indirect calorimetry were compared with the results calculated using the ready-to-use formula, the Harris Benedict formula. The results showed a significant correlation of girls’ resting energy expenditure with muscle mass and body height, while boys’ resting energy expenditure was correlated with muscle mass and body water content. The value of the REE was significantly higher (p ≤ 0.001) than the value of the basal metabolic rate calculated by means of Harris Benedict formula. The obtained results can be a worthwhile suggestion for specialists dealing with energy demand planning in children, especially among those who are physically active to achieve optimal sporting successes ensuring proper functioning of their body.