Body Composition and Muscle Characteristics of Division I Track and Field Athletes

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate event-specific body composition and muscle characteristics of track and field athletes, and to assess body composition changes after one year. Sixty collegiate track and field athletes (Mean ± SD; Age = 19.2 ± 1.4 yrs, Height = 174.6 ± 9.0 cm, Weight = 71.5 ± 12.5 kg) were stratified into six event groups. Total and regional body composition measurements were assessed using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. A panoramic scan of the vastus lateralis was taken with B-mode ultrasound to determine muscle cross sectional area (mCSA) and echo intensity (EI). Body composition measurements were repeated a year later in a subset of returning athletes (n=33). Throwers had significantly more absolute fat mass (FM; 21.6 ± 11.0 kg), total body mass (89.7 ± 17.4 kg), percent fat (23.6 ± 7.8) and trunk fat (9.4 ± 5.8 kg) than all other event groups (p<0.05). Throwers had the most absolute lean mass (LM; 64.2 ±11.7 kg; p>0.05), but relative to body mass had relatively less LM (0.72 ± 0.08 kg; p<0.05). Despite high FM, throwers had lower EI (63.4 ± 5.2 a.u). After one year, relative armLM increased slightly in all event groups (p<0.05). Evaluation of muscle characteristics in addition to total and regional body composition may be valuable for improving performance, injury prevention, and assessing health risks. With appropriate training, track and field athletes may be able to minimize losses in LM and gains in FM between seasons.

Sex differences and impact of body mass on performance from childhood to senior athletes in Olympic weightlifting

“…In these sports sex related differences in athletic performance emerge at around 12 years of age and reach adult plateau in the late teenage years [8]. Track and field is comprised of 21 disciplines and elite athletes within the specific disciplines likely have similar physique [9]. Weightlifting athletes compete in different body weight classes and thus can be competitive within a range of morphological characteristics.…”

“…However, the age at peak performance is before age 30 in some sports. The peak age varies by discipline in track and field where throwers have higher body mass and achieve peak performance at a later age than jumpers or runners [9,14,15]. Furthermore, differences in peak age were observed in different countries.…”

Body Composition Changes of United States Smokejumpers during the 2017 Fire Season

“…Health and performance can be affected by body composition (BC) [1]. In light of this, studying BC has received considerable research attention when examining physical performance [2][3][4][5][6]. Body fat percentage (BF%) and lean body mass are of interest to coaches and athletes because of their importance in athletic performance [1,7].…”

Nutrition for Special Populations: Young, Female, and Masters Athletes

“…Furthermore, in females ≤14 years gynecological age, the effects of low EA may be more pronounced (Loucks, 2006). Conversely, some athletes (particularly in the throwing events) demonstrate anthropometric characteristics consistent with the potential for excessive energy intakes (Hirsch et al, 2016).…”