Body Composition Changes During a 24-h Winter Mountain Running Race Under Extremely Cold Conditions

Daniela Chlíbková,Alena Žákovská,Beat Knechtle,Josef Bednář,Thomas Rosemann

doi:10.3389/fphys.2019.00585

Daniela Chlíbková, Alena Žákovská + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2019.00585

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Abstract

Background: To date, no study has focused on body composition characteristics and on parameters associated with skeletal muscle damage and renal function in runners participating in a 24-h winter race held under extremely cold environmental conditions (average temperature of -14.3°C).Methods: Anthropometric characteristics, plasma urea (PU), plasma creatinine (Pcr), creatine kinase (CK), plasma volume (PV) and total body water (TBW) were assessed pre- and post-race in 20 finishers (14 men and 6 women).Results: In male runners, body mass (BM) (p = 0.003) and body fat (BF) (p = 0.001) decreased [-1.1 kg (-1.4%) and -1.1 kg (-13.4%), respectively]; skeletal muscle mass (SM) and TBW remained stable (p > 0.05). In female runners, BF decreased (p = 0.036) [-1.3 kg (-7.8%)] while BM, SM and TBW remained stable (p > 0.05). The change (Δ) in BM was not related to Δ BF; however, Δ BM was related to Δ SM [r = 0.58, p = 0.007] and Δ TBW (r = 0.59, p = 0.007). Δ SM correlated with Δ TBW (r = 0.51, p = 0.021). Moreover, Δ BF was negatively associated with Δ SM (r = -0.65, p = 0.002). PV (p < 0.001), CK (p < 0.001), Pcr (p = 0.004) and PU (p < 0.001) increased and creatinine clearance (CrCl) decreased (p = 0.002). The decrease in BM was negatively related to the increase in CK (r = -0.71, p < 0.001). Δ Pcr was positively related to Δ PU (r = 0.64, p = 0.002). The decrease in CrCl was negatively associated with the increase in both PU (r = -0.72, p < 0.001) and CK (r = -0.48, p = 0.032).Conclusion: The 24-h running race under extremely cold conditions led to a significant BF decrease, whereas SM and TBW remained stable in both males and females. Nevertheless, the increase in CK, Pcr and PU was related to the damage of SM with transient impaired renal function.

Highlights

IntroductionThere is a limited number of studies on ultra-endurance athletes competing in cold temperatures ranging from −21◦C to −2◦C (Stuempfle et al, 2002, 2003; Chlíbková et al, 2019) and under very cold weather conditions with temperatures down to −48◦C (O’Hara et al, 1977; Paulin et al, 2015; Coker et al, 2017; Johannsen et al, 2018; Schalt et al, 2018)
The aim of the study was to quantify body composition characteristics and parameters associated with skeletal muscle damage and renal function in 24-h ultra-marathoners competing under extremely cold winter conditions
Kao et al (2008) recorded body mass (BM) losses ranging from −0.8 to −11% in seven runners during a 24-h ultra-marathon held on an oval track with temperatures ranging from 12 to 15◦C, too

Summary

Introduction

There is a limited number of studies on ultra-endurance athletes competing in cold temperatures ranging from −21◦C to −2◦C (Stuempfle et al, 2002, 2003; Chlíbková et al, 2019) and under very cold weather conditions with temperatures down to −48◦C (O’Hara et al, 1977; Paulin et al, 2015; Coker et al, 2017; Johannsen et al, 2018; Schalt et al, 2018). Factors such as anthropometric characteristics [e.g., body fat (BF)] of the athlete make a difference to the strategies that can be adopted to offset any negative impact of cold environment on athletic performance (Nimmo, 2004). No study has focused on body composition characteristics and on parameters associated with skeletal muscle damage and renal function in runners participating in a 24-h winter race held under extremely cold environmental conditions (average temperature of −14.3◦C)

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