Somatotype, body composition and performance in ultramarathon

Author(s)

Taisa Belli ^[1] ; Cláudio Luiz de Souza Meireles ^[2] ; Mônica de Oliveira Costa ^[3] ; Marco Aurélio Ackermann ^[4] ; Claudio Alexandre Gobatto ^[5]

Affiliation

^[1] University of Campinas. School of Applied Sciences. Laboratory of Applied Sport Physiology - Brasil

^[2] Federal University of Paraíba. Department of Physical Education - Brasil

^[3] “Carlos de Campos” Technical School. Technical Course in Nutrition and Dietetics - Brasil

^[4] University of Campinas. School of Applied Sciences. Laboratory of Applied Sport Physiology - Brasil

^[5] University of Campinas. School of Applied Sciences. Laboratory of Applied Sport Physiology - Brasil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Rev. bras. cineantropom. desempenho hum.; v. 18, n. 2, p. 127-135, 2016-04-00.

Abstract

Abstract This study aimed to characterize somatotype, analyze anthropometric indicators associated with body composition during the race and verify possible relationships with the performance of athletes in a 217-km ultramarathon. For this, ten male volunteers (42.8 ± 3.5 years; 171.4 ± 1.9 cm height, 70.7 ± 3.1 kg body mass; 15 ± 3 years of running exercise) performed a critical velocity (CV) test one week before the competition and were submitted to anthropometric measurements before, at 84 km of the race and at the end of the race. Volunteers finished the race in 46.8 ± 3.4 h (4.9 ± 0.4 km / h; 33.4 ± 1.8% CV). Mean values equivalent to somatotype components accounted for 3.4 ± 0.4 for endomorphy, 5.2 ± 0.4 for mesomorphy and 1.7 ± 0.3 for ectomorphy. Body mass, body mass index, fat-free mass and chest circumference decreased (P <0.05) after 84 and 217 km compared to baseline. Pre-race values of thigh skinfold thickness (R = 0.79) and waist circumference (R = 0.64) were significantly correlated (P <0.05) with final race time. Thus, we concluded that ultramarathoners had mean endo-mesomorph somatotype and reductions in both body mass and fat-free mass during and after the race. Furthermore, the results suggest that increased body fat deposits concentrated in the lower limbs and abdominal region may have a negative impact on the performance of the athletes in 217-km ultramarathon. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/08535-5 - Standardization and validity of aerobic and anaerobic tests in field and laboratory, using free, tethered and half-tethered running, in endurance and sprint runners
• Grantee: Claudio Alexandre Gobatto
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants