Changes in the Volume and Circumference of the Torso, Leg and Arm after Cycling in the Heat Determined Using 3D Whole Body Scanners

Abstract

Whole body volume changes due to sweat loss after exercise in the heat are well documented, but little is known about the relative contribution of the torso and extremities to these volume changes. It is the purpose of this study to quantify these effects. Therefore, seven healthy male subjects were scanned using a SizeStream and Vitronic whole body scanner prior to and shortly after they lost 1.7 ± 0.1% of their body weight due to cycling at 2 W/kg in a 35°C, 20% relative humidity climatic chamber for 75 minutes. Whole body volume loss was 1.0 ± 0.7% using the SizeStream scanner and 1.3 ± 0.6% using the Vitronic scanner. Torso volume decreased most with 2.1 ± 1.5% (p=0.009) and 5.6 ± 3.1% (p=0.002) followed by the legs with 1.1 ± 2.7% (N.S.) and 2.9 ± 1.0% (p<0.0001) for SizeStream and Vitronic respectively. Changes in arm volume were negligible. The circumference decreased significantly for the chest and upper legs but not for the waist and arms. We conclude that the major part of sweat loss originates from the torso and legs, but since both scanners did not produce similar results likely due to differences in accuracy, we recommend using high-resolution scanners to record volume changes in more detail.

Body Asymmetries in Young Male Road Cyclists

“…This advantage could be utilized in a wide variety of digital shape outputs that can extend to 2D or 3D format with an electronic archiving of scans, which could be utilized in future analysis with improved software (Wells et al, 2015). After reviewing the literature, the 3D scanning method has been rarely used in cycling (Bullas et al, 2014;Daanen et al, 2016), but it has been frequently used in other sports (Schranz et al, 2010;Simenko & Vodicar, 2015) and other fields (Treleaven & Wells, 2007;Sims et al, 2012;Wells et al).…”

Comparison of Complex and Simple Anthropometrics in the Descriptive Anthropometric Assessment of Male Cyclists

“…Whilst previous studies have incorporated the use of complex anthropometrics into their assessment of cyclist (Daanen et al, 2016;Kordi et al, 2018;Rønnestad et al, 2010), very little is known about their usefulness in in comparison to simple anthropometrics. The aim of this study was to compare the ability of complex and simple anthropometrics to distinguish between cyclists from different disciplines, and in doing so expanding the understand of the anthropometric profiles of cyclists.…”