¬Title Page Bone Mineral Density, Body Composition, and Health-Related Behaviors of Collegiate Female Gymnasts

Monitoring changes in body composition, bone mineral density, and eating pathology symptoms is crucial for identifying injury risk factors and improving health and performance in female collegiate gymnasts. This study investigated the relationship between body composition (BC), bone mineral density (BMD), and eating pathology symptoms inventory (EPSI) scores in Division I female collegiate gymnasts over a 6-month competitive season. Data on BMD: total Bone Mineral Density, total bone mineral content, total Area, Z-score, and T-score, body composition: height, weight, total tissue % fat, total region % fat, total bone mass, total fat mass, total lean mass, total fat-free mass, total mass and EPSI scores: body dissatisfaction, binge eating, cognitive restraint, purging, restricting, excessive exercise, negative attitudes toward obesity, and muscle building were analyzed. Results indicated that body dissatisfaction and excessive eating were prominent EPSI subscales among the gymnasts both at pre- and post- season. The EPSI survey demonstrated suitability in studying eating disorders (ED) and disordered eating (DE) in this population. Changes in bone mineral content and total area were observed from pre- to post- season. Negative correlations were found between EPSI body dissatisfaction, total tissue % fat, total region % fat and total fat mass, as well as a positive association EPSI binge eating and total BMD and T-score in preseason. Negative association between EPSI muscle building and height, total lean mass, and total fat-free mass. Negative association between total area and total tissue % fat and total region % fat in preseason. Negative association between Z-score and total heigh, while positive correlations between weight, total lean mass, and fat-free mass in preseason. Changes in correlations were observed between bar scores and the EPSI restricting subscale, as well as between beam scores and the EPSI cognitive restraint subscale. These findings contribute to understanding injury risk factors and evidence-based practices for female collegiate gymnasts, informing interventions to promote health body image, eating habits, and physical performance