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The body composition of
sports and professional athletes has been of considerable importance to
scientists, clinicians and medics specializing in sports medicine. For
this select group of people a
relatively low body fat is desirable to optimize physical performance. Strength and power activities
require large
muscle mass to enhance performance.
Until recently general Bioelectrical Impedance (BIA) equations developed
for the average population
were used to assess body fat of sports and
athletes and found to over estimate the Fat Free Mass
(FFM). Research has
clearly shown that general population equations cannot be used to
accurately
estimate the Fat Free Mass (FFM) as bone density, skeletal muscle mass and mineral content of
physically active individuals and
athletes is greater than those individuals with sedentary lifestyle.
BIA equations developed for physically active individuals as used in
Maltron Body Composition Analysers yield more
accurate estimation of body
composition in this select group than equations developed for the general
population.
Scientists and sports medicine professionals have been studying the
profile of elite athletes for many years and found
athletes and physically
active individuals to be leaner than sedentary individuals, regardless of
gender. It was also found that
female athletes had relatively higher body
fat then male athletes in the same sport. Body composition information is
an
important indicator of one’s health, it can also be used to estimate
the athletes optimal body weight.
It is important to understand that a certain amount of body fat is required
to perform the normal physiological and metabolic
functions. It is agreed
in the scientific world that minimum body Fat of males should not be less
than 5%. For females it is
indicated to be double and more. There is some
concern for those attaining to reduce body fat becoming amenorrheic
(less
than three menstrual periods per year). This may lead to loss of bone
mineral over a period of time.
As a professional we would recommend setting individual goals within the
range of body fat values than to expect all athletes
in a given sport to
achieve the same level of body fatness. There may be a possibility that
some feel pressured to engage in
unsafe practices to meet unrealistic
weight and fat loss goals. Body composition of athletes should be assessed
using Maltron
Body Composition Analysers at the beginning of each season
training period. |
