2016, Volume 12
Relationship between body composition indicators and physical capacity of the combat sports athletes
Krzysztof Durkalec-Michalski 1, Tomasz Podgórski2, Marek Sokołowski3, Jan Jeszka1
1Department of Hygiene and Human Nutrition, Dietetic Division, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland, Poznań, Poland
2Department of Biochemistry, University School of Physical Education, Poznan, Poland, Poznań, Poland
3Department of Modern and Defensive Sports , University School of Physical Education in Poznan, Poland, Poznań, Poland
Author for correspondence: Krzysztof Durkalec-Michalski ; Department of Hygiene and Human Nutrition, Dietetic Division, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland, Poznań, Poland; email: durkmich[at]up.poznan.pl
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Abstract
Background and Study Aim: In combat sports a modification of body weight should be based on an appropriate regulation of body composition, preferably after establishing the optimal level of tissue components. In view of the above the aim of this study was the relationship between body composition indicators and physical capacity of the combat sports athletes with prospect of most advantageous exercise-induced adaptation.
Material and Methods: The study involved 120 athletes, with the mean age of 22 years. Body composition of the athletes was analysed by electrical bioimpedance. Aerobic capacity was determined using exercise tests with increasing intensity using a Cosmed K4b2 ergospirometer. Blood concentrations of biochemical markers were determined using a COBAS® 6000 analyser.
Results: A reduction of maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) was recorded with an increase in fat mass (FM). The highest VO2max and ventilatory threshold (VT) was observed in athletes with the lowest FM. Assayed levels of biochemical blood markers were ambiguous, although at a low FM the anabolic-catabolic status seems the most advantageous. Among other things, correlations were found between FM and VO2max, HR at VT, and also FFM and VO2max, HR at VT and cortisol.
Conclusions: The levels of tissue components are significantly correlated with aerobic capacity and they may affect the level of biochemical adaptation. This indicates the importance of an appropriate regulation of body composition already in the training period, which would facilitate increased efficiency of the training procedure and eliminate the risk of reduced exercise capacity at a rapid weight loss before competitions.
Key words: adipose tissue, biochemical markers, body weight, maximal oxygen consumption, ventilatory threshold