Analysis of Daily Activity Pattern to Estimate the Physical Activity Level and Energy Expenditure of Elite and Non-Elite Athletes

Abstract

Physical exercise and adequate energy intake are the most important needs for optimum health, and they are also strongly connected to the amount of energy used when participating in any kind of physical activity. Total energy expenditure (TEE) may be calculated by combining resting energy expenditure (REE) with the physical activity level (PAL). Validated PAL guidelines are generally accessible and used by the general public, however less is known about PAL in competitive athletes. This research aimed at analyzing the physical activity level and the energy expenditure of athletes who participate in various sports on a daily basis. The research included 53 female athletes (43.39% elite and 56.61% non-elite), and 47 male athletes (40.42% elite and 59.57% non-elite) who competed in athletics, basketball, badminton, cricket, hockey, kabaddi, volleyball, and wrestling. The PAL, the BMR—basal metabolic rate, and the TEE were used to measure energy expenditure throughout a regular training phase. The PAL was determined using the athletes’ 24 h activity profiles, which consisted of their practice, study, leisure, and sleep hours. The Harris–Benedict equation was used to calculate the BMR. The TEE was computed by multiplying the BMR by the PAL. The time spent on work/practice, rest, and leisure activities was used to calculate the athletes’ daily activity load. The PAL was 2.33 ± 0.47, the TEE was 3532.18 ± 827.75 kcal/day, and the BMR was 1515.06 ± 203.52 kcal/day. Field hockey players had the greatest physical activity load (3.0 ± 0.00), followed by wrestlers (2.6 ± 0.20), boxers (2.6 ± 0.30), basketball players (2.3 ± 0.40), athletics athletes (2.2 ± 0.43), volleyball players (2.0 ± 0.20), kabaddi players (1.8 ± 0.20), cricketers (1.8 ± 0.10), and badminton players (1.7 ± 0.10). The PAL values were higher in the elite than in the non-elite female athletes (2.81 ± 0.23, and 2.12 ± 0.34, respectively), as well as in the male athletes (2.60 ± 0.28, and 1.94 ± 0.30, respectively). These data showed that the PAL values of both the elite and the non-elite athletes were at the WHO-recommended threshold yet were characterized as intensely active.