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Vol 71, No 1 (2020)
Original article
Submitted: 2019-12-21
Accepted: 2020-01-21
Published online: 2020-03-21
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Field study of anthropomorphic and muscle performance changes among elite skippers following a transoceanic race

Pierre Lafère123, Yann Gatzoff4, François Guerrero2, Steven Provyn356, Costantino Balestra3567
DOI: 10.5603/IMH.2020.0007
·
Pubmed: 32212144
·
IMH 2020;71(1):20-27.
Affiliations
  1. Department of Anaesthesiology, Erasme University Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
  2. ORPHY Laboratory EA4324, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Brest, France
  3. Environmental, Occupational, Ageing (Integrative) Physiology Laboratory, Haute Ecole Bruxelles-Brabant (HE2B), Brussels, Belgium
  4. Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
  5. Anatomical Research Training and Education (ARTE), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (V.U.B.), Brussels, Belgium
  6. Anatomical Research and Clinical Studies (ARCS), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (V.U.B.), Brussels, Belgium
  7. Motor Sciences, Université Libre De Bruxelles (U.L.B.), Brussels, Belgium

open access

Vol 71, No 1 (2020)
MARITIME MEDICINE Original article
Submitted: 2019-12-21
Accepted: 2020-01-21
Published online: 2020-03-21

Abstract

Background: Ocean racing has become increasingly demanding, both physically and psychologically. The aim of the study was to assess global changes after a transoceanic race. Materials and methods: Eight male sailors were evaluated pre- and post-race through anthropometric measurements (weight, skinfold, girth at different level and estimated body fat percentage), multifrequency tetrapolar bioelectrical impedance, muscular performance, visual analogic scale for perceived fatigue and Critical Flicker Fusion Frequencies for cerebral arousal. Results: Compared to pre-race values, a significant decrease in body weight (–3.6 ± 1.4%, p = 0.0002) and body composition with reduction of body fat percentage (–15.1 ± 3.5%, p < 0.0001) and fat mass (–36.4 ± 31.4%, p = 0.022) was observed. Muscle performance of the upper limb was preserved. In the lower limb, monohulls skippers showed a significant reduction of jump height (–6.6 ± 4.8%, p = 0.022), power (–11.7 ± 7.3%, p = 0.011) and speed (–14.6 ± 7.4%, p = 0.0006) while a multihulls skipper showed a gain in speed (+0.87%), power (+8.52%), force (+11%) resulting in a higher jump height (+1.12%). These changes were inversely correlated with sea days (Pearson r of –0.81, –0.96 and –0.90, respectively, p < 0.01). Conclusions: Changes in body weight and composition are consistent with previous data indicating a probable negative energy balance. The main finding demonstrates a difference in muscular conditioning between upper and lower limbs that might be explained by differential workload related to boat architecture (trampolines) or handling.

Abstract

Background: Ocean racing has become increasingly demanding, both physically and psychologically. The aim of the study was to assess global changes after a transoceanic race. Materials and methods: Eight male sailors were evaluated pre- and post-race through anthropometric measurements (weight, skinfold, girth at different level and estimated body fat percentage), multifrequency tetrapolar bioelectrical impedance, muscular performance, visual analogic scale for perceived fatigue and Critical Flicker Fusion Frequencies for cerebral arousal. Results: Compared to pre-race values, a significant decrease in body weight (–3.6 ± 1.4%, p = 0.0002) and body composition with reduction of body fat percentage (–15.1 ± 3.5%, p < 0.0001) and fat mass (–36.4 ± 31.4%, p = 0.022) was observed. Muscle performance of the upper limb was preserved. In the lower limb, monohulls skippers showed a significant reduction of jump height (–6.6 ± 4.8%, p = 0.022), power (–11.7 ± 7.3%, p = 0.011) and speed (–14.6 ± 7.4%, p = 0.0006) while a multihulls skipper showed a gain in speed (+0.87%), power (+8.52%), force (+11%) resulting in a higher jump height (+1.12%). These changes were inversely correlated with sea days (Pearson r of –0.81, –0.96 and –0.90, respectively, p < 0.01). Conclusions: Changes in body weight and composition are consistent with previous data indicating a probable negative energy balance. The main finding demonstrates a difference in muscular conditioning between upper and lower limbs that might be explained by differential workload related to boat architecture (trampolines) or handling.

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Keywords

anthropometry, skinfold thickness, impedance, bioelectrical, weight loss, flicker fusion, muscle strength

About this article
Title

Field study of anthropomorphic and muscle performance changes among elite skippers following a transoceanic race

Journal

International Maritime Health

Issue

Vol 71, No 1 (2020)

Article type

Original article

Pages

20-27

Published online

2020-03-21

Page views

1001

Article views/downloads

973

DOI

10.5603/IMH.2020.0007

Pubmed

32212144

Bibliographic record

IMH 2020;71(1):20-27.

Keywords

anthropometry
skinfold thickness
impedance
bioelectrical
weight loss
flicker fusion
muscle strength

Authors

Pierre Lafère
Yann Gatzoff
François Guerrero
Steven Provyn
Costantino Balestra

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