(49) AN EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF BODY COMPOSITION ON RUNNING PERFORMANCE IN COLLEGIATE FEMALES

Previous studies have evaluated the impact of body fat% on aerobic performance, yet a further comprehension of the relationship between body composition and running performance may assist in the development of future VO_2max treadmill protocols.  Despite a prior study assessing the relationship between body fat percentage (BF), body mass index (BMI), height (HT), and weight (WT), on skiing ergometry VO_2peak values in female subjects, this assessment protocol has not occurred with treadmill running performance using a similar population. 

Purpose: To analyze the relationship between BF%, BMI, WT, and HT on VO_2max values in no less than averagely fit collegiate females during a treadmill graded exercise test (GXT).  

Methods: Twenty-two collegiate females had their BF%, BMI, WT, and HT assessed and age was recorded.  Subjects then completed a treadmill (TM) GXT protocol where the subjects ran to the point of volitional exhaustion.  Pearson Correlations were then performed between BF, BMI, WT, HT, and VO_2max with significance differences determined at p <u>< 0.05.  

Results: Mean values were 43.83 + 4.75 ml/kg/min (VO_2max), 24.66 + 6.34 (BF), 23.36 + 2.67 (BMI), 64.54 + 7.05 kg (WT), and 165.39 + 6.50 cm (HT).  A significant moderately high negative correlation existed between VO_2max and BF (r = -0.697, p = 0.001).  A non-significant low negative correlation existed between VO_2max and 1) BMI (r = -0.292, p = 0.094); and 2) WT (r = -0.243, p = 0.138).  No relationship occurred between VO_2max and HT (r = 0.073, p = 0.373).  

Conclusions: BF% had a moderately high correlation with TM VO_2max, while BMI and WT appear to have a low negative relationship with VO₂ values during a TM GXT in collegiate females.  HT does not appear to have a relationship with TM GXT VO_2max values.  PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:  Despite having a moderately high relationship, having a lower BF% does not necessarily suggest that a higher aerobic performance will always occur in no less than above averagely fit collegiate females during a TM GXT.  Still, having a lower BF% and being leaner appears to suggest that a higher VO2max may be possible to obtain during a TM GXT.  Further research may be required to determine what role gender, fitness level, or a different type of BF% measurement technique may play when considering the type of relationship that BF%, BMI, HT, and WT potentially have with treadmill aerobic performance. 

Acknowledgements: None