Research has demonstrated an elevated prevalence of body weight concerns and scoliosis among female gymnasts. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate relationships between body composition, muscle quality, and performance in female collegiate gymnasts (n=15), and to evaluate the prevalence of scoliosis. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to evaluate body composition and lateral spinal curvature using a modified version of the Ferguson method. Echo intensity (EI) and cross-sectional area (CSA) of the vastus lateralis were determined from a panoramic cross-sectional ultrasound image. For returning athletes (n=9), performance scores from the previous season were averaged to quantify performance. Average performance score was correlated with lean mass of the arms (R=0.714; P=0.03) and right leg (R=0.680; P=0.04). Performance was not correlated with total mass, fat mass, or body fat percentage (P>0.10). Scoliosis was identified in three of fifteen scans (20%). Echo Intensity and CSA of the vastus lateralis were inversely correlated with each other (R= −0.637, P=0.01), but not with other measures of body composition or performance. Results suggest that limb LBM may be a determinant of performance in competitive gymnasts. It may be preferable for gymnasts to prioritize the accretion of LBM in the offseason
