Barriers and enablers to measuring resting metabolic rate in the high-performance sporting system: A qualitative exploratory study

Megan A Kuikman; Alannah Ka McKay; Helen Brown; Nicole Townsend; Rachel McCormick; Aimee Morabito; Nikolay Pichshev; Gary Slater; Louise M Burke

doi:10.1080/02640414.2025.2453342

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Barriers and enablers to measuring resting metabolic rate in the high-performance sporting system: A qualitative exploratory study

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Barriers and enablers to measuring resting metabolic rate in the high-performance sporting system: A qualitative exploratory study

Megan A Kuikman, Alannah Ka McKay, Helen Brown, Nicole Townsend, Rachel McCormick, Aimee Morabito, Nikolay Pichshev, Gary Slater and Louise M Burke

Journal of Sports Sciences, Vol.43(3), pp.280-288

2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2025.2453342

PMID: 39831647

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Abstract

LEA surrogate

thematic analysis

qualitative research

REDs

athlete

recommendations

Measurements of resting metabolic rate (RMR) may be undertaken for dietary planning purposes or to assess for low energy availability (LEA). This study investigated barriers and enablers to measuring RMR in real-world, high-performance sport environments. Twelve interviews were conducted with technicians (n = 6 dietitians, n = 6 physiologists) employed across six National Institute Networks, two National Sporting Organisations and one professional sporting code. RMR was predominantly measured to screen for LEA with measurements only occurring in a few instances for dietary planning purposes. Data was thematically analysed with six main themes identified. Barriers included lack of confidence in measuring RMR, burden of measurement on athlete and technician, confusion over measurement responsibility, and scepticism in RMR measurements as an indicator of LEA. Subthemes that contributed to scepticism included: the RMR thresholds used to indicate LEA, unanswered research questions, and measurement errors introduced by athlete presentation, testing equipment and/or environment. Enablers to use of RMR measurements included perceived value of RMR measurements as a ‘piece of the puzzle’ when assessing for LEA and its use as a longitudinal measure. Best practice guidelines for RMR measurements in athletic cohorts must consider these barriers and enablers as they highlight unique characteristics of athletes and their environment.

Details

Title: Barriers and enablers to measuring resting metabolic rate in the high-performance sporting system: A qualitative exploratory study
Authors: Megan A Kuikman (Corresponding Author) - Australian Catholic University
Alannah Ka McKay - Australian Catholic University
Helen Brown - Deakin University
Nicole Townsend - Australian Institute of Sport
Rachel McCormick - Australian Institute of Sport
Aimee Morabito - Australian Institute of Sport
Nikolay Pichshev - Australian Catholic University
Gary Slater - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Nutrition & Dietetics
Louise M Burke - Australian Catholic University
Publication details: Journal of Sports Sciences, Vol.43(3), pp.280-288
Publisher: Routledge
Date published: 2025
DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2025.2453342
ISSN: 1466-447X
PMID: 39831647
Copyright note: © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, and is not altered, transformed, or built upon in any way. The terms on which this article has been published allow the posting of the Accepted Manuscript in a repository by the author(s) or with their consent.
Grant note: The authors acknowledge support of this work by the Australian Institute of Sport.
Organisation Unit: School of Health - Nutrition & Dietetics
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991096126802621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Sport Sciences