Characteristics of Performance in Collegiate Cheerleaders and Dancers

Body Composition and Characteristics of Performance in Collegiate Cheerleaders and Dancers

This study aims to investigate performance differences between collegiate cheerleaders and dancers classified as normal weight obese and those classified as normal weight lean. The study will assess differences in physical performance, lifestyle behaviors, muscle quality, and nutrition-related factors between groups. Performance testing, body composition assessment, and questionnaire-based measures will be used to characterize these relationships.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Nutrition; Physical Performance; Low Energy Availability

Detailed Description

This study focuses on understanding body composition-related differences in performance among collegiate cheerleaders and dancers, a population that relies heavily on strength, power, and aesthetic presentation for successful performance. Obesity is commonly classified using body mass index (BMI); however, BMI may fail to identify individuals with excess adiposity, particularly in athletic populations. One such classification is normal-weight obesity, which describes individuals with a normal BMI but elevated body fat percentage and increased risk for impaired muscle function and reduced physical performance. Aesthetic athletes, including cheerleaders and dancers, may be particularly susceptible to this condition due to sport-specific performance demands and body composition expectations. This study aims to determine whether performance outcomes differ between normal weight obese and normal weight lean cheerleaders and dancers, with specific focus on measures of power, strength, and muscle quality. In addition, the study examines differences in lifestyle behaviors, compositional and functional muscle characteristics of the upper leg, and nutrition-related factors between groups. By integrating body composition assessment, physical performance testing, and questionnaire-based measures, this study seeks to better characterize normal-weight obesity in this population. Ultimately, the findings may help clarify how body composition and lifestyle factors relate to performance in collegiate cheer and dance athletes.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 65

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Hannah Eberhardt; Phone Number: 8648879769; Email: he24a@fsu.edu
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Michael J Ormsbee

Study Locations

• United States
  • Florida
    • Tallahassee, Florida, United States, 32301
      • Recruiting
      • Institute of Sports Sciences and Medicine (ISSM)
      • Contact: Hannah Eberhardt; Phone Number: (864) 887-9769; Email: he24a@fsu.edu
      • Contact: Michael J Ormsbee; Email: mormsbee@fsu.edu

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Current members of the Florida State University Cheer and Dance teams

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Must be a part of either the Florida State University dance or cheer team
• Sex: Female
• Age: 18-30
• BMI: Normal (18.5 - 24.9 kg/m2)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Not biologically female
• Have a diagnosed and unresolved eating disorder
• Not weight stable (defined as a gain/loss of more than ~7.7 lbs in the past 2 months)
• Participants who are pregnant or who become pregnant during the study

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Division I Collegiate Cheerleaders and Dancers; Normal weight obese or normal weight lean

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Energy Availability (kcals/kg FFM)	Energy availability will be assess by subtracting exercise energy expenditure from energy intake relative to fat free mass. This will be assessed daily for 7 continuous days.	7 days
Physical Fitness	Physical fitness will be assessed via maximal jump height (in inches) using a double leg (and single leg counter movement jump and a maximal isokinetic leg extension and leg curl (expressed in kgs).	Day of study enrollment

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Subjective Sleep	The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) will be used to assess subjective sleep quality, while the Athlete Sleep Behavior Questionnaire (ASBQ) will be used to assess subjective sleep behavior. A score of >42 on the ASBQ indicates poor sleep behavior. A score >5 on the PSQI indicates poor sleep quality.	Day of study enrollment
Body Composition	Body Composition will be assessed via Air Displacement Plethysmography on the first day of study enrollment.	Day of study enrollment
Muscle Quality - Echo Intensity	Ultrasound echo intensity will be used to assess intramuscular fat.	Day of study enrollment
Nutrition Knowledge	Knowledge of nutrition based on the Abbreviated Nutrition for Sports Knowledge Questionnaire (ANSKQ). The maximum score is 100%. The minimum score is 0%. Higher scores indicate better nutrition knowledge.	Day of study enrollment
Muscle Quality - Muscle Thickness	Muscle thickness of the rectus femoris will be assessed via ultrasound	day of study enrollment

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Florida State University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): August 3, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): May 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): May 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 14, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 28, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): January 30, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): January 30, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 28, 2026
• Last Verified: January 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Nutrition; Body Composition; Physical Fitness; Energy Availability; Division I Collegiate Cheerleaders and Dancers
• Other Study ID Numbers: CDNWO00006460

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No