scholarly journals Preseason Body Composition Adaptations in Elite White and Polynesian Rugby Union Athletes

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam J. Zemski ◽  
Shelley E. Keating ◽  
Elizabeth M. Broad ◽  
Damian J. Marsh ◽  
Karen Hind ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Fat Mass ◽  
Lean Mass ◽  
Rugby Union ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Body Composition Assessment ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Individualized Approach ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Main Effects

During preseason training, rugby union (RU) athletes endeavor to enhance physical performance characteristics that are aligned with on-field success. Specific physique traits are associated with performance; therefore body composition assessment is routinely undertaken in elite environments. This study aimed to quantify preseason physique changes in elite RU athletes with unique morphology and divergent ethnicity. Twenty-two White and Polynesian professional RU athletes received dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry assessments at the beginning and conclusion of an 11-week preseason. Interactions between on-field playing position and ethnicity in body composition adaptations were explored, and the least significant change model was used to evaluate variations at the individual level. There were no combined interaction effects with the variables position and ethnicity and any body composition measure. After accounting for baseline body composition, Whites gained more lean mass during the preseason than Polynesians (2,425 ± 1,303 g vs. 1,115 ± 1,169 g; F = 5.4, p = .03). Significant main effects of time were found for whole body and all regional measures with fat mass decreasing (F = 31.1–52.0, p < .01), and lean mass increasing (F = 12.0–40.4, p < .01). Seventeen athletes (nine White and eight Polynesian) had a reduction in fat mass, and eight athletes (six White and two Polynesian) increased lean mass. This study describes significant and meaningful physique changes in elite RU athletes during a preseason period. Given the individualized approach applied to athletes in regard to nutrition and conditioning interventions, a similar approach to that used in this study is recommended to assess physique changes in this population.

scholarly journals Longitudinal Changes in Body Composition Assessed Using DXA and Surface Anthropometry Show Good Agreement in Elite Rugby Union Athletes

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam J. Zemski ◽  
Shelley E. Keating ◽  
Elizabeth M. Broad ◽  
Gary J. Slater
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Lean Mass ◽  
Standard Error ◽  
Rugby Union ◽  
Fat Free Mass ◽  
Empirical Measure ◽  
Body Composition Assessment ◽  
Longitudinal Changes ◽  
Assessment Techniques ◽  
Proportional Variation

Rugby union athletes have divergent body composition based on the demands of their on-field playing position and ethnicity. With an established association between physique traits and positional requirements, body composition assessment is routinely undertaken. Surface anthropometry and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) are the most common assessment techniques used, often undertaken synchronously. This study aims to investigate the association between DXA and surface anthropometry when assessing longitudinal changes in fat-free mass (FFM) and fat mass (FM) in rugby union athletes. Thirty-nine elite male rugby union athletes (age: 25.7 ± 3.1 years, stature: 187.6 ± 7.7 cm, and mass: 104.1 ± 12.2 kg) underwent assessment via DXA and surface anthropometry multiple times over three consecutive international seasons. Changes in the lean mass index, an empirical measure to assess proportional variation in FFM, showed large agreement with changes in DXA FFM (r = .54, standard error of the estimate = 1.5%, p < .001); the strength of association was stronger among forwards (r = .63) compared with backs (r = .38). Changes in the sum of seven skinfolds showed very large agreement with changes in DXA FM (r = .73, standard error of the estimate = 5.8%, p < .001), with meaningful differences observed regardless of ethnicity (Whites: r = .75 and Polynesians: r = .62). The lean mass index and sum of seven skinfolds were able to predict the direction of change in FFM and FM 86% and 91% of the time, respectively, when DXA change was >1 kg. Surface anthropometry measures provide a robust indication of the direction of change in FFM and FM, although caution may need to be applied when interpreting magnitude of change, particularly with FM.

scholarly journals Serum levels of 25 (OH) vitamin D in adults with obesity sarcopenia

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Nikolova ◽  
Alexander Penkov
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Body Composition ◽  
Fat Mass ◽  
Lean Mass ◽  
Fat Free Mass ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Composition Analysis ◽  
Appendicular Lean Mass ◽  
Vitamin D Levels ◽  
25 Oh Vitamin D

AbstractIntroduction:Obesity has been linked with vitamin D deficiency in a number of cross-sectional studies, reviews and meta-analyses. To assess the correlations of plasma 25(OH) vitamin D levels with indices of body composition examined by DXA with an emphasis on lean and bone mass as well as on indices such as android/gynoid fat, appendicular lean mass (ALM) and appendicular lean mass index (ALMI), fat-mass indexes (FMI), fat-free mass indexes (FFMI) and the ALM-to-BMI index.Materials and Methods:62 adult subjects consented to participate – 27 men (43.5 %) and 35 women (56.5 %). Their mean age was 45.3 ± 9.5 years. Fan-beam dual-energy X-ray (DXA) body composition analysis was performed on a Lunar Prodigy Pro bone densitometer with software version 12.30. Vitamin D was measured by electro-hemi-luminescent detection as 25(OH)D Total (ECLIA, Elecsys 2010 analyzer, Roche Diagnostics). Statistical analyses were done using the SPSS 23.0 statistical package.Results:The serum 25(OH)D level was correlated significantly only to the whole body bone mineral content, the appendicular lean mass index (ALMI) and the ALM-to-BMI index, underlining a predominant role for lean and fat-free mass. Vitamin D showed a very weak correlation to % Body Fat and the Fat Mass Index (FMI) in men only. Moreover, the multiple regression equation including the associated parameters could explain only 7 % of the variation in the serum 25(OH)D levels.Discussion:Our conclusion was, that there are differences in the associations of the vitamin D levels with the different body composition indices, but these associations are generally very weak and therefore – negligible.

scholarly journals Correction of Low Neonatal Vitamin D Status Using 1000 IU/d of Vitamin D Improved Body Composition (Lean Mass and Fat Mass) Compared to Using the Standard of Care by 6 Months of Age (P11-094-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryam Razaghi ◽  
Catherine Vanstone ◽  
Olusola Sotunde ◽  
Nathalie Gharibeh ◽  
Sarah Kimmins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Body Composition ◽  
Fat Mass ◽  
Lean Mass ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Skin Color ◽  
Reference Group ◽  
Combined Treatment ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Vitamin D Status

Abstract Objectives Vitamin D status is positively associated with lean mass phenotype in healthy infants born with sufficient vitamin D stores. The objective is to test whether rapid correction of low neonatal vitamin D status improves body composition (lean mass and fat mass) at 6 mo of age. Methods In a double-blinded randomized parallel group controlled trial (NCT02563015), healthy term neonates of appropriate weight for gestational age were recruited from Montreal. Capillary blood samples were collected 24–36 h post natally for measurement of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] (Liaison, Diasorin Inc.). Infants with serum 25(OH)D < 50 nmol/L (n = 87) were randomized to receive 400 or 1000 IU/d until 6 mo of age. Those with 25(OH)D ≥ 50 nmol/L (n = 31) were recruited as a reference group, and received 400 IU/d. Anthropometry, lean mass and fat mass (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry) were measured at baseline, 3 and 6 mo. Skin color was measured using a spectrophotometer. Differences between treatments and reference groups were tested using mixed model and repeated measures ANOVA accounting for the effects of sex, season of birth, skin color and gestational age (GA). Results Neonates (67 males, 51 females) were 39.6 ± 1wk GA and 3387 ± 371 g at birth. There were no differences between groups in lean mass or fat mass at baseline; nor in weight or length at any time-point. Combined treatment groups, had lower serum 25(OH)D concentrations at birth compared to the reference group (33 ± 11 vs. 69 ± 13 nmol/L, P < 0.0001). However, at 6 mo of age, serum 25(OH)D concentration was higher in the group receiving 1000 IU/d (n = 34), in comparison to the group receiving 400 IU/d (n = 29), and the reference (n = 19) group (125.0 ± 34.0, 82.2 ± 21.5 vs. reference 85.4 ± 32.1 nmol/L, P < 0.0001). Whole body lean mass was significantly different among groups (5071.3 ± 750.0, 4944.1 ± 616.3 and 5166.0 ± 645.4 g, respectively, P = 0.03), with infants in the treatment group provided a 400 IU/d supplement having a lower lean mass by 6 mo of age compared to the 1000 IU/d group. Fat mass was not different among groups following post-hoc testing (2967.0 ± 929.0 and 2962.0 ± 952.0, 2742.0 ± 754.0 g, P = 0.16). Conclusions Higher dosage supplementation of vitamin D rapidly improved vitamin D status and supported a leaner body phenotype in infancy. Funding Sources Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

Treatment of acromegaly has substantial effects on body composition. A long-term follow-up study.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Wolf ◽  
Sylvie Salenave ◽  
Emmanuel Durand ◽  
Jacques Young ◽  
Peter Kamenicky ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Fat Mass ◽  
Lean Mass ◽  
Individual Therapy ◽  
Sensitivity Index ◽  
Igf I ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Impact

  Background: Acromegaly is associated with changes in body composition. Long-term changes following acromegaly treatment and the impact of different treatments have been less investigated. Methods: We performed a retrospective study in 201 patients with acromegaly. Body composition was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). To investigate specific effects of treatment vs ageing, changes in body composition were compared in a group of patients evaluated both at the time of active and controlled disease (A>C; n=31) and in another group of patients evaluated two times while the disease was controlled (C>C; n=32). Results: In the whole cohort, IGF-I correlated with fat (r=-0.369;p<0.001) and lean mass (r=0.383;p<0.001). Patients from A>C and C>C groups were comparable for age, sex, BMI and follow-up duration (p=n.s.). Reduction in IGF-I levels was associated with an increase in fat mass and a decrease in lean mass in the A>C group, which was four and eight times more pronounced compared to the C>C group (fat mass: +39±34 vs +10±15%, p<0.001; lean mass: -8±8 vs -0.2±6%, p<0.001, respectively). Changes in fat mass were negatively associated with IGF-I (r=-0.450; p=0.011) and independent of the individual therapy. The daily dose of pegvisomant correlated with fat mass (r=0.421;p=0.002) and insulin sensitivity index (r=-0.466;p<0.001). Conclusions: Treatment of acromegaly strongly impacts body composition until biochemical disease remission, characterized by an increase in fat mass and a decrease in lean mass. These changes are closely associated with the normalization of IGF-I. Thereafter, body composition changes are similar to what is observed with ageing.

scholarly journals Twelve Weeks of Whole Body Vibration Training Improve Regucalcin, Body Composition and Physical Fitness in Postmenopausal Women: A Pilot Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (11) ◽  
pp. 3940 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Pérez-Gómez ◽  
José Carmelo Adsuar ◽  
Miguel Ángel García-Gordillo ◽  
Pilar Muñoz ◽  
Lidio Romo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Bone Mass ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Postmenopausal Women ◽  
Fat Mass ◽  
Lean Mass ◽  
Whole Body Vibration ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Body Vibration ◽  
The Impact

(1) Background: Regucalcin or senescence marker protein 30 (SMP30) is a Ca2+ binding protein discovered in 1978 with multiple functions reported in the literature. However, the impact of exercise training on SMP30 in humans has not been analyzed. Aging is associated with many detrimental physiological changes that affect body composition, functional capacity, and balance. The present study aims to investigate the effects of whole body vibration (WBV) in postmenopausal women. (2) Methods: A total of 13 women (aged 54.3 ± 3.4 years) participated in the study. SMP30, body composition (fat mass, lean mass, and bone mass) and physical fitness (balance, time up and go (TUG) and 6-min walk test (6MWT)) were measured before and after the 12 weeks of WBV training. (3) Results: The WBV training program elicited a significant increase in SPM30 measured in plasma (27.7%, p = 0.004) and also in 6MWT (12.5%, p < 0.001). The WBV training also significantly reduced SPM30 measured in platelets (38.7%, p = 0.014), TUG (23.1%, p < 0.001) and total body fat mass (4.4%, p = 0.02). (4) Conclusions: There were no significant differences in balance, lean mass or bone mass. The present study suggests that 12 weeks of WBV has the potential to improve SPM30, fat mass, TUG and 6MWT in postmenopausal women.

scholarly journals SUN-650 Body Composition Assessment in Clinical Practice: Use in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Hypogonadism

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Sousa da Silva ◽  
Joao Lindolfo Borges
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Body Composition ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Energy Metabolism ◽  
Fat Mass ◽  
Lean Mass ◽  
Total Weight ◽  
Composition Analysis ◽  
Fat Percentage ◽  
Body Composition Assessment

Abstract BACKGROUND: DXA is an accessible, non-invasive method, also used for body composition assessment, standing out for regional composition analysis. In clinical practice, the analysis of body composition is relevant by differentiating lean (fat-free) mass from fat mass. The higher the fat to lean mass ratio, the greater the obesity-related comorbidities. CLINICAL CASE: Case 1: A 22-year-old male, BMI 21kg/m2, with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and on chronic glucocorticoid (GC) performed a DXA to evaluated body composition. The first analysis, during GC use, showed 26.1% fat (14.6kg) despite the low BMI. The patient, evolved stable from RA, and was able to stay out of GC for 2 years, with no other interventions. A new DXA showed a decrease in fat percentage to 12.6% (6.2kg), a reduction in total body weight (-7kg) and an increase in lean mass (+1.2kg). Within 16 months of GC reintroduction, the fat percentage increased up to 36.8% (23.8kg), the total weight increased by 15.6kg and the lean mass decreased by 2.1kg. Case 2: A 40-year-old male with hypogonadism showed 37% fat (33.8kg) on ​​first DXA evaluation. Testosterone replacement was started, and a new DXA was performed after 10 weeks, and although the total weight increased by 3.1kg, there was a decrease in fat mass to 33.5% (31.6kg) and an increase of 5.3kg in lean mass. After 3 years, there was a reduction to 27.1% of fat (24.5kg) and, after 4 years of therapy initiation, the percentage of fat was 26.9% (24.5kg). There was no change in diet or exercise. CONCLUSION: The exposed cases highlight the importance of body composition assessment in patients with conditions that interferes with energy metabolism. The patient on chronic GC use, after medication withdrawal, presented a significant decrease in fat mass, more pronounced in the android percentage. The reintroduction of the CG showed an increase in fat percentage, with android predominance. The patient with hypogonadism, in the second evaluation performed with only 10 weeks of treatment with testosterone, evolved with a reduction in fat mass associated with an increase in lean mass, besides a reduction in the android percentage. The reported cases illustrate everyday clinical situations in which disease vs. treatment significantly changes body composition. Assessment of body composition is essential in patients exposed to conditions that interfere with energy metabolism since obesity is associated with chronic comorbidities and cardiovascular outcomes.

Adverse effects of early bilateral oophorectomy on body composition: Results from a nationally representative sample of United States women.

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1568-1568
Author(s):  
Pritesh S Karia ◽  
Corinne Joshu ◽  
Kala Visvanathan
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Fat Mass ◽  
Lean Mass ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Hormone Replacement ◽  
Regional Distribution ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Bilateral Oophorectomy ◽  
Total Fat ◽  
The Impact

1568 Background: Prior studies suggest that bilateral oophorectomy (BO), a common cancer prevention strategy, may be associated with adiposity. However, the impact of BO on lean mass, a potential marker of healthy aging, and whole-body composition is not known. Declines in lean mass have been linked to physical disability and mortality. We examined the association between BO and total and regional distribution of fat and lean mass in a cross-sectional study. Methods: The study population included women 35-70 years who underwent dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans at enrollment as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2006 (N = 3,764). Multinomial logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between prior BO and tertiles of fat and lean mass. Models were adjusted for age, race, education, BMI at age 25, physical activity, smoking, alcohol use, parity, oral contraceptive use and hormone replacement therapy use. Results: Women with prior BO < 45 years (n = 346) had 2.9-times higher odds than women without BO (n = 3,212) of being in the highest compared to the lowest tertile of total fat mass (OR, 2.91; 95% CI, 1.93-4.38) and 2.7-times higher odds of being in the lowest compared to the highest tertile of total lean mass (OR, 2.67; 95% CI, 1.81-3.95). Results were similar when stratified by age at enrollment ( < 45, 45-54, and ≥55). Similarly, among women with normal BMI at enrollment, those with prior BO < 45 years (n = 74) had higher odds of being in the highest tertile of total fat mass (OR, 9.88, 95% CI, 2.21-44.00) and the lowest tertile of total lean mass (OR, 10.09; 95% CI, 2.72-37.46). These differences in body composition were most pronounced in the trunk region. No difference was observed in women with BO ≥45 years compared to women without BO. Conclusions: Women with a history of early BO experience significant changes in body composition, including increased fat mass and decreased lean mass, even while maintaining a normal BMI. If validated in future prospective studies, our results suggest that a comprehensive evaluation of body composition may be warranted in young women who undergo BO.

scholarly journals Weight Loss after 12 Weeks of Exercise and/or Nutritional Guidance Is Not Obligatory for Induced Changes in Local Fat/Lean Mass Indexes in Adults with Excess of Adiposity

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 2231
Author(s):  
Robinson Ramírez-Vélez ◽  
Mikel Izquierdo ◽  
Karem Castro-Astudillo ◽  
Carolina Medrano-Mena ◽  
Angela Liliana Monroy-Díaz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Body Composition ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Fat Mass ◽  
Lean Mass ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Combined Training ◽  
Nutritional Guidance ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Induced Changes

The objectives of this secondary analysis are (1) to investigate the differential effects of exercise training modalities–high-intensity interval training (HIIT), resistance training (RT), combined training (CT = HIIT + RT), and/or nutritional guidance (NG) alone–on local fat/lean mass indexes in adults with excess of adiposity; (2) to identify the individual patterns of response based on either a clinical criterion of weight loss (≥5%) and/or technical error (TE) of measurement of local fat/lean mass indexes; and (3) to assess the individual change for body composition parameters assigned either to HIIT, RT, CT, and/or NG groups utilizing a TE. A 12-week trial was conducted in 55 participants randomized to one of the four interventions. The primary outcome was clinical change in body weight (i.e., weight loss of ≥5%). Secondary outcomes included change in ratio of android and gynoid fat mass, as well as local fat and lean mass indexes (arms, trunk, and legs), before and after intervention. The main findings from the current analysis revealed that (i) after 12 weeks of follow-up, significant decreases in several body composition indexes were found including body weight, arm, trunk, and legs fat mass, and android and gynecoid fat mass were observed in HIIT, RT, and CT groups (p < 0.05); (ii) a significant proportion of individuals showed a positive response following 12 weeks of training, led by the HIIT group with 44% and followed by RT with 39% in 9 indexes; (iii) the HIIT group showed lowest rates of adverse responders with (6%); and (iv) the individual patterns of response utilizing clinically meaningful weight loss were not necessarily associated with the corresponding individual training-induced changes in body composition indexes in adults with excess of adiposity. Overall, the study suggests that HIIT has an important ability to reduce the prevalence of non-response to improve body composition indexes.

scholarly journals Effects of once-weekly semaglutide vs once-daily canagliflozin on body composition in type 2 diabetes: a substudy of the SUSTAIN 8 randomised controlled clinical trial

Diabetologia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 473-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rory J. McCrimmon ◽  
Andrei-Mircea Catarig ◽  
Juan P. Frias ◽  
Nanna L. Lausvig ◽  
Carel W. le Roux ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Body Composition ◽  
Fat Mass ◽  
Lean Mass ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Once Daily ◽  
Treatment Difference ◽  
Total Fat ◽  
Dxa Scans

Abstract Aims/hypothesis Intra-abdominal or visceral obesity is associated with insulin resistance and an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to compare the effects of semaglutide 1.0 mg and canagliflozin 300 mg on body composition in a subset of participants from the SUSTAIN 8 Phase IIIB, randomised double-blind trial who underwent whole-body dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanning. Methods Adults (age ≥18 years) with type 2 diabetes, HbA1c 53–91 mmol/mol (7.0–10.5%), on a stable daily dose of metformin (≥1500 mg or maximum tolerated dose) and with an eGFR ≥60 ml min−1 [1.73 m]−2 were randomised 1:1 to semaglutide 1.0 mg once weekly and canagliflozin placebo once daily, or canagliflozin 300 mg once daily and semaglutide placebo once weekly. Body composition was assessed using whole-body DXA scans. The study participants and investigator remained blinded throughout the trial, and quality of DXA scans was evaluated in a blinded manner. Change from baseline to week 52 in total fat mass (kg) was the confirmatory efficacy endpoint. Results A subset of 178 participants (semaglutide, n = 88; canagliflozin, n = 90) underwent DXA scanning at screening and were randomised into the substudy. Of these, 114 (semaglutide, n = 53; canagliflozin, n = 61) participants had observed end-of-treatment data included in the confirmatory efficacy analysis. Of the 178 participants in the substudy, numerical improvements in body composition (including fat mass, lean mass and visceral fat mass) were observed after 52 weeks with both treatments. Total fat mass (baseline 33.2 kg) was reduced by 3.4 kg and 2.6 kg with semaglutide and canagliflozin, respectively (estimated treatment difference: –0.79 [95% CI −2.10, 0.51]). Although total lean mass (baseline 51.3 kg) was also reduced by 2.3 kg and 1.5 kg with semaglutide and canagliflozin, respectively (estimated treatment difference: −0.78 [−1.61, 0.04]), the proportion of lean mass (baseline 59.4%) increased by 1.2%- and 1.1%-point, respectively (estimated treatment difference 0.14 [−0.89, 1.17]). Changes in visceral fat mass and overall changes in body composition (assessed by the fat to lean mass ratio) were comparable between the two treatment groups. Conclusions/interpretation In individuals with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes on stable-dose metformin therapy, the changes in body composition with semaglutide and canagliflozin were not significantly different. Although numerical improvements in body composition were observed following treatment in both treatment arms, the specific impact of both treatments on body composition in the absence of a placebo arm is speculative at this stage. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03136484. Funding This trial was supported by Novo Nordisk A/S, Denmark.

scholarly journals Regional body composition changes in women after 6 months of periodized physical training

2000 ◽  
Vol 88 (6) ◽  
pp. 2251-2259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradley C. Nindl ◽  
Everett A. Harman ◽  
James O. Marx ◽  
Lincoln A. Gotshalk ◽  
Peter N. Frykman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Soft Tissue ◽  
Fat Mass ◽  
Lean Mass ◽  
Physical Training ◽  
Training Group ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Mass Measurements ◽  
Regional Body Composition ◽  
Composition Changes

Data are lacking regarding regional morphological changes among women after prolonged physical training. This study employed dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry to assess changes in whole body and regional (i.e., trunk, legs, arms) fat mass, lean mass, and bone mineral content body composition adaptations in 31 healthy women pre-, mid-, and post-6 mo of periodized physical training. These results were compared with those of 1) a control group of women who had not undergone the training program and were assessed pre- and post-6 mo and 2) a group of 18 men that was tested only once. Additionally, magnetic resonance imaging was used to assess changes in muscle morphology of the thigh in a subset of 11 members of the training group. Physical training consisted of a combination of aerobic and resistance exercise in which the subjects engaged for 5 days/wk for 24 wk. Overall, the training group experienced a 2.2% decrease, a 10% decrease, and a 2.2% increase for body mass, fat mass, and soft tissue lean mass, respectively. No changes in bone mineral content were detected. The women had less of their soft tissue lean mass distributed in their arms than did the men, both before and after the women were trained. Novel to this study were the striking differences in the responses in the tissue composition of the arms (31% loss in fat mass but no change in lean mass) compared with the legs (5.5% gain in lean mass but no change in fat mass). There was a 12% fat loss in the trunk with no change in soft tissue lean mass. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and magnetic resonance imaging fat mass measurements showed good agreement ( r = 0.72–0.92); their lean mass measurements were similar as well, showing ∼5.5% increases in leg lean tissue. These findings show the importance of considering regional body composition changes, rather than whole body changes alone when assessing the effects of a periodized physical training program.

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