Development of alternatives to estimate resting metabolic rate from anthropometric variables in paralympic swimmers

ABSTRACT

The resting metabolic rate (RMR) is one of the most representative components of total daily energy expenditure (TDEE). Multiple equations have been developed to estimate RMR, but none have been described for Para-Athletes. This study aimed to; i) develop and validate new RMR estimation models from anthropometric variables; and ii) explore the level of agreement between the RMR determined by indirect calorimetry (IC) and the developed models, as well as a selection of existent estimation models in Para-Athletes. Fifteen young Paralympic swimmers (age, 18.7±6.5 years) underwent assessments of RMR by IC and anthropometric batteries. Four RMR estimation models (M1-M4) were developed. The anthropometric variables which explained most of the variance were biacromial breadth (M3-37%), stature (M1-45%; M2-49%), and estimated stature from half arm span (M4-24%). However, the neck girth corrected by the submandibular skinfold entered in all four models. The 95% limits of agreement between IC and M3 equation (best performance model) ranged from -142.02 to 172.39 kcal×day−1 (bias 15.19 kcal×day−1). Concerning the commonly used equations, Harris & Benedict equation was the most consistent when compared to IC. The results of this study suggest four novel RMR equations that may assist in the estimation of energy requirements in elite Para-Athletes.

KEYWORDS:

• energy expenditure
• indirect calorimetry
• anthropometry
• bioenergetics
• adaptive sports
• para-athletes

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2021.1922175

Author Contributions

C.A.H-A. leading researcher. C.A.H-A. and C.O.R-G., conceptualisation and study design. L.A.Q-M., and A.J.M-R assisted in data collection. C.O.R-G. performed statistical data analysis. C.A.H-A., and C.O.R-G. wrote the original draft. F.A. and D.A.B., assisted with statistical advice, discussion analysis, critical review, and editing of the final manuscript.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Margarita Hernández Contreras, Erica Forzani, and Jorge Rosales, who supported this investigation.

A manual, protocol, and procedure for estimating RMR with the Herrera & Ramos equations are freely available from (http://iicdem.com/rmr-calculator-herrera-amante-2021/), or by contacting the corresponding author.

Fernando Alacid’s participation in this project has been possible thanks to a mobility grant from the Ibero-American Postgraduate University Association (AUIP).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).