Field study of anthropomorphic and muscle performance changes among elite skippers following a transoceanic race

Abstract

Background: Ocean racing has become increasingly demanding, both physically and psychologically. The aim of the study was to assess global changes after a transoceanic race. Materials and methods: Eight male sailors were evaluated pre-and post-race through anthropometric measurements (weight, skinfold, girth at different level and estimated body fat percentage), multifrequency tetrapolar bioelectrical impedance, muscular performance, visual analogic scale for perceived fatigue and Critical Flicker Fusion Frequencies for cerebral arousal. Results: Compared to pre-race values, a significant decrease in body weight (-3.6 ± 1.4%, p = 0.0002) and body composition with reduction of body fat percentage (-15.1 ± 3.5%, p < 0.0001) and fat mass (-36.4 ± 31.4%, p = 0.022) was observed. Muscle performance of the upper limb was preserved. In the lower limb, monohulls skippers showed a significant reduction of jump height (-6.6 ± 4.8%, p = 0.022), power (-11.7 ± 7.3%, p = 0.011) and speed (-14.6 ± 7.4%, p = 0.0006) while a multihulls skipper showed a gain in speed (+0.87%), power (+8.52%), force (+11%) resulting in a higher jump height (+1.12%). These changes were inversely correlated with sea days respectively, p < 0.01). Conclusions: Changes in body weight and composition are consistent with previous data indicating a probable negative energy balance. The main finding demonstrates a difference in muscular conditioning between upper and lower limbs that might be explained by differential workload related to boat architecture (trampolines) or handling. (Int Marit Health 2020; 71, 1: 20-27)

Oxidative Stress and Motion Sickness during Offshore Sailing

“…As for other studies (Galvani et al 2015;Gunnarsson et al 2004;Fearnley et al 2012;Lafère et al 2020) that focus on OOS, we found many di culties in producing reliable data and scienti c evidence. The researcher himself, which was part of the crew, had to take part in the strenuous activity schedule, the space for medical devices and samples on board is limited, invasive procedures are complicated to perform because of continuous motion, electronic devices cannot be charged because electrical power is limited and needed for navigation.…”

“…They are also second messengers for many pathways, such as food intake stimuli (Paoli et al 2015). The ketogenic regimen is also related to the increase of lipid metabolism (Rubini et al 2015) which in the case of OOS is often associated with the decrease of body fat percentage and weight loss (Fearnley et al 2012;Lafère et al 2020;Ghiani et al 2018).…”

“…Energy expenditure during offshore sailing is high (Myers et al 2008), and an adequate nutrient intake is challenging to maintain onboard, especially during harsh weather conditions (Fearnley et al 2012). Negative energy balance often results in weight loss, decreased body fat percentage, and reduced muscle strength, proportionally to the length of the race (Bigard et al 1998; Lafère et al 2020). Proper sleep management is also essential to maintain adequate performance (Léger et al 2008).…”

Oxidative stress and motion sickness in one crew during competitive offshore sailing

“…However, even if data regarding physical effort during offshore sailing seem comparable with inshore activity 17 , the evidence is scarce, difficult to obtain, and limited to measuring the effects of energy expenditure and physical effort activity after the race. Weight loss, fat percentage decrease, lower limb strength, and muscle mass reduction are often reported 1 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 49 . ROS production is enhanced by exercise 21 – 23 , 29 , 50 .…”

“…Energy expenditure during offshore sailing is high 3 , and it is challenging to maintain an adequate nutrient intake onboard, especially during harsh weather conditions 4 . Negative energy balance often results in weight loss, decreased body fat percentage, and reduced muscle strength, proportionally to the length of the race 5 , 6 . Proper sleep management is also essential to maintain adequate performance 7 .…”