Body Composition Perceptions in Triathletes

Abstract

~A Potelarius Research Network Study~ Body image distortion has been shown to be a factor in the development of disordered eating. No information is available on triathletes' perceptions of body composition compared to actual measurements. PURPOSE: Compare perceived vs measured body composition in triathletes. Assess triathletes' perceptions of optimal body composition for triathlon performance. Compare body composition perceptions of male vs female triathletes. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional METHODS: Subjects: Triathletes registered to compete in the 2006 Ford California Ironman Triathlon (1.2 mile ocean swim, 56 mile bike ride, 13.1 mile run). Instruments: 1. Pre-race Survey Triathletes filled out a questionnaire regarding demographics, triathlon history, training distances, perceived, optimal and previous body composition measurements. 2. Measurements Height & weight were measured using a calibrated scale. Body fat percentage was measured using a NIR spectrophotometric hand-held device (Futrex® 6100XL). RESULTS: During registration, 2120 triathletes checked-in and 457 participated in the study (21.6%). Seventy four percent of the subjects were male & 26 % female. The mean age of males was 36.6 +/− 19.0 years and females 35.8 +/− 8.9 years. The mean body fat for males was 17.2 +/−4.6% and for females 27.1 +/− 4.4%. Fifty six percent of males & 61% of females had completed at least one half Ironman triathlon. Eighty five percent of female triathletes and 81.1% of male triathletes estimated their body composition to be lower than the actual measurement (mean estimated body fat: males 13.1 +/− 5.7; females 20.6 +/− 6.1%). Female triathletes were as likely as male triathletes to underestimate their body fat percentage (p=0.41), although female triathletes underestimated their body fat percentage by a significantly greater amount (p<0.0001) than their male counterparts. Female triathletes reported a mean optimal body fat for performance in a half-Ironman triathlon to be 16.2 +/− 3.4% and males reported 9.7 +/− 3.5% CONCLUSIONS: Male and female triathletes underestimate their body fat percentage and may have unrealistic ideas about body composition for their sport.