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Open Access 09-11-2023 | Original Article

Body composition assessment in a large cohort of Olympic athletes with different training loads: possible reference values for fat mass and fat-free mass domains

Authors: Luca Giovanelli, Giacomo Biganzoli, Antonio Spataro, Mara Malacarne, Giuseppina Bernardelli, Raffaella Spada, Massimo Pagani, Elia Biganzoli, Daniela Lucini

Published in: Acta Diabetologica | Issue 3/2024

Abstract

Aims

To assess body composition by means of BOD POD in the large cohort of Italian Olympic athletes of many sport disciplines (studied at the same time), and to provide possible reference values for body composition in elite athletes.

Methods

1556 elite athletes, who took part in the selection procedure for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games for the National Italian Olympic Committee (CONI), were retrospectively studied. Body composition was determined using air plethysmography-based BOD POD.

Results

We observed that Fat Mass (FM) and Fat-free Mass (FFM) should be considered as two mutually independent domains in elite athletes. By performing Principal Component Analysis, we defined two independent main domains (respectively, representing FM and FFM), which presented different trends according to gender and static or dynamic exercise load. Lastly, we reported possible reference values for FM index and FFM index, respectively, representing the largest contributors to FM domain and FFM domain, and calculated as FM or FFM (kg)/height (m²).

Conclusions

Our findings might provide a basis to optimize the practical approach to body composition in athletes, highlighting the importance of considering indicators of fat mass and lean mass “simultaneously” and not specularly, according to different sport disciplines as well. Moreover, these data might contribute to standardize reference values for body composition in elite athletes, with a view to potentially helping to monitor and guide training regimens, prevent related detrimental practices and plan cardiometabolic prevention and rehabilitation programs.

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Title: Body composition assessment in a large cohort of Olympic athletes with different training loads: possible reference values for fat mass and fat-free mass domains
Authors: Luca Giovanelli
Giacomo Biganzoli
Antonio Spataro
Mara Malacarne
Giuseppina Bernardelli
Raffaella Spada
Massimo Pagani
Elia Biganzoli
Daniela Lucini
Publication date: 09-11-2023
Publisher: Springer Milan
Published in: Acta Diabetologica / Issue 3/2024
Print ISSN: 0940-5429
Electronic ISSN: 1432-5233
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00592-023-02203-y

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