Comparative segmental anthropometric evaluation of triathlon and marathon athletes

DOI: 10.15343/0104-7809.2011354422426

Abstract

The objective of the study was to carry through a comparative segmental evaluation of the corporal composition of competitive
athletes in marathons and triathlons to determine differences in their segmental body composition. 17 male individuals had
participated in the study (9 marathon and 8 triathlon athletes), and the protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee (Protocol 226/08).
We measured weight and stature and carried through a tetrapolar bioimpedance examination (Tanita Ironman BCC 558) for segmental
analysis of their body composition. As main results, it was observed that although there were no statistical differences in the percentage
of fat among triathlon and marathon athletes (15,2 ± 2,6 versus 15,4 ± 1.5%, respectively), there were significant statistical differences
among the percentages of fat of the right and left arms of marathon athletes, and triathlon athletes presented an equivalent segmental
composition in right and left hemibodies. New approaches in relation to the analysis of the body composition are tools for physical
and nutritional monitoring with positive impact in the interventions, with the purpose of making recommendations for monitoring
performance of competitive athletes in the modalities of marathon and athletics, sport that in Brazil is ever more adopted and admired.