PROJEKT
MITTEPROFESSIONAALSETE MEESMARATOONARITE (≥ 45 A) KEHAKOOSTIS Body composition of nonprofessional male marathoners (≥45 yr) Mari-Liis Dobrjanski, Ülle Parm, Ivi Vaher, Anna-Liisa Tamm Abstract Correlation between the different body composition parameters and race performance has been proved by previous studies. However, information about Estonian nonprofessional marathoners is limited. The aim of this study was to determine the body composition (body fat and fat-free mass), total body and extracellular water content in nonprofessional male marathoners (≥45yr). The study included a total of 136 participants who took part in at least one of the following events − Tartu Maraton, Tartu Rattaralli and/or Tartu Linnamaraton. This thesis is part of a larger study conducted by Tartu Health Care College. Participants had to fill out a questionnaire; the body composition was measured with the Seca mBCA 525 device. Descriptive statistics was used for data analysis. The t-test, the Mann-Whitney test or the χ2 test were used to compare the groups and the Pearson correlation coefficient to measure linear dependence between the variables. Participants (aged 51.7±7.1 yr), although nonprofessional, were with great marathon experience. The mean value of previously completed marathons was 35 (the 25th and 75th quartiles 17.5 and 66, respectively). The results demonstrate that runners, compared to cross-country skiers, had lower body fat (10.8 kg vs 14.3 kg; p=0.01) and fat percentage (13.7% vs 16.8%; p=0.019). Runners also had lower body fat (10.8 kg vs 15.7 kg; p=0.016) and fat percentage (13.7% vs 18.8%; p=0.023) than cyclists. Runners had lower body mass than cyclists (77.2 kg vs 81.7 kg; p=0.042) and a lower body mass index (BMI) than skiers (23.8 kg/m2 vs 25.5 kg/m2; p=0.002). Previously completed marathons or training load three months prior to the marathon 178
