Body composition analysis in the preparation of speed skaters from the Norte de Santander team participating in the 2012 national games

Abstract

The importance of monitoring and controlling physiological variables and body composition through competition preparation with elite athletes is necessary in order to optimize performance. For this study, speed skaters prepared to participate in the 2012 National Games, which were held in the city of Cúcuta in November. Body composition variables such as fat percentage, lean percentage, and muscle percentage, among others, were monitored During the last months of their preparation, 14 skaters between the ages of 14 and 21 participated, including 10 women and 4 men, with an average body mass of 56.36 kg for women and 65.72 kg for men. Each of them had their respective sporting specialty, such as speed and endurance events. To estimate the anthropometric variables, the model developed by the Spanish Kinanthropometry Group (GREC, 1983) was used. An average fat percentage of 18.83 was found for women and 10.60 for men. In turn, the muscle percentage was 44.90 and 49.36, respectively. Determining that, in accordance with other sports disciplines and for this same discipline in the few reference studies, the variables for women are higher and for men are within a normal range, both in terms of fat percentage and muscle percentage.