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Fat and muscle mass of elite Spanish climbers

Abstract:

SUMMARY: Somatotype and body composition is a necessary assessment in sports competition and training control. The purpose of this work was to determine the fat mass, the muscle mass and anthropometric somatotype of 11 sport climbers by means of anthropometric methods for body composition (Faulkner, Carter and Durnin & Womersley algorithms), anthropometric somatotype (Heath-Carter), and bioelectrical impedance analysis for muscle mass (Janssen and Kyle formulae). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to determine differences among fat percentages. Fat percentage obtained via Durnin & Womersley's equation was different versus Carter's equation in males (7.51% v/s 5.42%) meanwhile in females this percentage was different respect to Faulkner's equation (14.4% versus 12.58%; p<0.05). Muscle mass percentage in males (45.52%) was higher than in females (34.28%). In males the somatotype was endo-mesomorphic (1.34 - 5.22 - 3.05), whereas females were best described as mesoectomorphic (1.65 - 3.35 - 3.71). These results can be considered as a reference values in body composition and somatotype in elite climbers.