| We investigated the change of body composition in ultra- endurance
runners during a multi-stage ultra-endurance run, the Isarrun 2006
in Bavaria, Germany, where athletes had to run 338 km within 5 days.
Body mass, skin fold thicknesses and circumferences of extremities
were measured in 21 well-experienced extreme endurance male runners
(mean ± SD, 41.5 ± 6.9 years, 72.6 ± 6.4 kg, 178 ± 5 cm, BMI 23.0
± 2.0 kg/m2), who finished mainly within the first half of the ranking,
in order to calculate skeletal muscle mass and body fat mass to prove
changes after the race. Body mass and calculated fat mass did not
change significantly (p>0.05), but, calculated skeletal muscle
mass decreased significantly (p<0.05) by 0.63 ± 0.79 kg by the
end of the race. The most apparent decline (p<0.01) of the calculated
skeletal muscle mass was during the first stage, and no changes were
observed during the last 4 stages. We conclude, that a multi- stage
ultra-endurance run over 338 km within 5 days leads to no changes
of body mass or body fat mass, but a statistically significant decrease
of skeletal muscle mass of 0.63 ± 0.79 kg by the end of the race in
well-trained and well-experienced ultra-endurance runners. The change
of skeletal muscle mass has to be evaluated in further studies at
ultra-endurance races with suitable methods to detect changes in hydration
status and water metabolism.
KEY
WORDS: Body composition, anthropometry, ultra-running, stage
race, fat mass, ultra-endurance.
|
