Fitness Study 2020

The experimental participant group (n=15+15) includes male and female fitness athletes during their \~25 week competition preparation in fall 2019 for the Finnish national championships. Participants must have at least two years of goal-oriented gym training and their health status will be determined before measurements via an online pre-study questionnaire. The control group (n=15+15) will maintain their normal training and diet without competing during the study period. Otherwise, the control group is matched with the athletic group based on age, height, weight and training experience. Participants selected for the study will complete an additional questionnaire to be reviewed by the study physician to confirm that participants meet the health status inclusion criteria. This study includes four laboratory testing sessions over the 50-week period. Time points include testing before the diet or the control period start (PRE), one week before the competition (MID), after the competition (COMP) and after a recovery period (POST). During COMP-POST the participants are advised to continue training, but to stop competition dieting."Measurements will include body composition (fat mass and fat free mass by bioimpedance, DXA and skinfolds), resting metabolic rate (indirect calorimetry), vastus lateralis and triceps brachii muscle-cross sectional area, subcutaneous fat thickness from ultrasonography and circulating hormone analysis. Also, whole blood will be analyzed for hemoglobin and hematocrit and systems biology approach: e.g. serum metabolome and possibly also other analysis. Lower body maximal voluntary isometric force will be measured via knee extension machine device. Average weekly physical activity will be determined with a wrist-worn uni-axial accelerometer. Training and dietary data (nutrient intake, volume, intensity etc.) will be collected via nutrition and training diaries. Psychological questionnaires will be conducted via an online survey.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of competition preparation and recovery period on body composition, the endocrine system, metabolic rate, physical activity and performance, dietary and training habits and mood state in fitness athletes.

Metabolic and hormonal adaptations due to weight loss oppose further weight loss and pose challenges for maintaining reduced body weight. Fitness competition preparation (i.e., a substantial decrease in body fat mass without notable decreases in muscle mass) is accomplished by restricting total daily energy intake and increasing dosage of aerobic exercise dosage while maintaining high levels of resistance training and dietary protein. There is sparse research regarding the effects of the competition preparation and the recovery period afterwards the competition on body composition, neuromuscular performance, hormone balance, and metabolic rate. Additionally, the effects of preparation on mood states and on systems biology is not well studied.

The present study will help us understand the degree to which adaptations are due to the preparation and recovery process, or as a consequence of reaching the desired body composition (or some combination thereof). In turn, the findings may serve to help develop coaching guidelines for fitness athletes which minimize unfavorable adaptations to preparation and minimize the stress of the process. Participants will be notified of the research procedures, requirements, benefits and risks before providing written informed consent. The study will include one doctoral thesis and four scientific research articles during 2020-2024. Measurements of the study will be conducted during the spring of 2019 and 2020. Analyzing the results will occur during the year 2021 and the scientific publications will be reported by the end of 2024. The study is funded externally by the Finnish Fitness Sports Association and we will apply to additional, appropriate research grants. A large amount of data will be collected and processed which requires good management and leadership. In order to avoid risks, a comprehensive data management plan will be made for the study.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* two or more years of resistance training experience,
* participants must be 22-40 years old
* No 3 shiftwork
* Participants must be preparing for the Finnish Fitness Sports Association's national championships 2019 in the bodybuilding or men's or women´s divisions to be eligible intervention group.

Exclusion Criteria:

* diagnosed with chronic diseases
* prescribed medications
* using performance-enhancing drugs
* competing in the bodybuilding or men's fitness divisions autumn 2019 or 2020
* competing junior or master categories
* competing at non-drug tested competitions