An Ultra-cycling Race Leads to no Decrease in Skeletal Muscle Mass

Abstract

Ultra-endurance races lead to an enormous energy deficit, and a decrease in body mass in the form of fat mass as well as skeletal muscle mass can be found. The decrease in skeletal muscle mass has been demonstrated in ultra-runners. We investigated therefore, in an ultra-cycling race, whether ultra-cyclists also suffered a decrease in body mass and whether we could find changes in skeletal muscle mass and/or fat mass. The anthropometric method was used to determine body mass, skeletal muscle mass and fat mass in 28 male Caucasian, non-professional, ultra-cyclists before and after a 600 km ultra-cycling race. In order to quantify hydration status, we measured total body water, haematocrit, plasma sodium and urinary specific gravity. In addition, plasma urea was determined as a marker of protein catabolism. Body mass as well as fat mass decreased highly significantly (p<0.01) whereas skeletal muscle mass did not change (p>0.05). The post race minus pre race difference (Δ) in body mass was associated with Δ fat mass (p<0.05). Urea increased highly significantly (p<0.01); however Δ urea was not associated with Δ skeletal muscle mass. We concluded that ultra-cycling in contrast to ultra-running leads to no reduction in skeletal muscle mass.

ultra-endurance - skin-fold thickness - anthropometry - body fat

References

• 1 Ball SD, Altena TS, Swan PD. Comparison of anthropometry to DXA: a new prediction equation for men.  Eur J Clin Nutr. 2004;  58 1525-1531
• 2 Beaumont van W. Evaluation of hemoconcentration from hematocrit measurements.  J Appl Physiol. 1972;  31 712-713
• 3 Bircher S, Enggist A, Jehle T, Knechtle B. Effects of an extreme endurance race on energy balance and body composition – a case study.  J Sports Sci Med. 2006;  5 154-162
• 4 Fallon KE, Sivyer G, Sivyer K, Dare A. The biochemistry of runners in a 1 600 km ultramarathon.  Br J Sports Med. 1999;  33 264-269
• 5 Fellmann N, Sagnol M, Bedu M, Falgairette G, Van Praagh E, Gaillard G, Jouanel P, Coudert J. Enzymatic and hormonal responses following a 24 h endurance run and a 10 h triathlon race.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1988;  57 545-553
• 6 Gastmann U, Dimeo F, Huonker M, Böcker J, Steinacker JM, Petersen KG, Wieland H, Keul J, Lehmann M. Ultra-triathlon-related blood-chemical and endocrinological responses in nine athletes.  J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 1998;  38 18-23
• 7 Gudivaka R, Schoeller DA, Kushner RF, Bolt MJG. Single- and multifrequency models for bioelectrical impedance analysis of body water compartments.  J Appl Physiol. 1999;  87 1087-1096
• 8 Helge JW, Lundby C, Christensen DL, Langfort J, Messonnier L, Zacho M, Andersen JL, Saltin B. Skiing across the Greenland icecap: divergent effects on limb muscle adaptations and substrate oxidation.  J Exp Biol. 2003;  206 1075-1083
• 9 Höchli D, Schneiter T, Ferretti G, Howald H, Claassen H, Moia C, Atchou G, Belleri M, Veicsteinas A, Hoppeler H. Loss of muscle oxidative capacity after an extreme endurance run: The Paris-Dakar Foot-Race.  Int J Sports Med. 1995;  16 343-346
• 10 Janssen GM, Degenaar CP, Menheere PP, Habets HM, Geurten P. Plasma urea, creatinine, uric acid, albumin, and total protein concentrations before and after 15-, 25-, and 42-km contests.  Int J Sports Med. 1989;  10 S132-S138
• 11 Kao WF, Shyu CL, Yang XW, Hsu TF, Chen JJ, Kao WC, Polun-Chang, Huang YJ, Kuo FC, Huang CI, Lee CH. Athletic performance and serial weight changes during 12- and 24-h ultra-marathons.  Clin J Sport Med. 2008;  18 155-158
• 12 Knechtle B, Bircher S. Changes in body composition during an extreme endurance run.  Schweiz Rundsch Med Prax. 2005;  94 371-377
• 13 Knechtle B, Enggist A, Jehle T. Energy turnover at the Race across America (RAAM) – a case report.  Int J Sports Med. 2005;  26 499-503
• 14 Knechtle B, Kohler G. Running 338 kilometres within five days has no effect on body mass and body fat but reduces skeletal muscle mass – the Isarrun 2006.  J Sports Sci Med. 2007;  6 401-407
• 15 Knechtle B, Schwanke M, Knechtle P, Kohler G. Decrease of body fat during an ultra-endurance triathlon is associated with race intensity.  Br J Sports Med. 2008;  42 609-613
• 16 Knechtle B, Knechtle P, Schück R, Andonie JL, Kohler G. Effects of a Deca Iron Triathlon on body composition – a case study.  Int J Sports Med. 2008;  29 343-351
• 17 Knechtle B, Duff B, Amtmann G, Kohler G. An ultra-triathlon leads to a decrease of body fat and skeletal muscle mass – The Triple Iron Triathlon Austria 2006.  Res Sports Med. 2008;  16 97-110
• 18 Koller A, Mair J, Schobersberger W, Wohlfarter T, Haid C, Mayr M, Villiger B, Frey W, Puschendorf B. Effects of prolonged strenuous endurance exercise on plasma myosin heavy chain fragments and other muscular proteins. Cycling vs. running.  J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 1998;  38 10-17
• 19 Lee RC, Wang Z, Heo M, Ross R, Janssen I, Heymsfield SB. Total-body skeletal muscle mass: development and cross-validation of anthropometric prediction models.  Am J Clin Nutr. 2000;  72 796-803
• 20 Lehmann M, Huonker M, Dimeo F. Serum amino acid concentrations in nine athletes before and after the 1993 Colmar Ultra Triathlon.  Int J Sports Med. 1995;  16 155-159
• 21 Neumayr G, Pfister R, Mitterbauer G, Gaenzer H, Joannidis M, Eibl G, Hoertnagl H. Short-term effects of prolonged strenuous endurance exercise on the level of haematocrit in amateur cyclists.  Int J Sports Med. 2002;  23 158-161
• 22 Neumayr G, Pfister R, Hoertnagl H, Mitterbauer G, Getzner W, Ulmer H, Gaenzer H, Joannidis M. The effect of marathon cycling on renal function.  Int J Sports Med. 2003;  24 131-137
• 23 Neumayr G, Pfister R, Hoertnagl H, Mitterbauer G, Prokop W, Joannidis M. Renal function and plasma volume following ultramarathon cycling.  Int J Sports Med. 2005;  26 2-8
• 24 Raschka C, Plath M, Cerull R, Bernhard W, Jung K, Leitzmann C. The body muscle compartment and its relationship to food absorption and blood chemistry during an extreme endurance performance.  Z Ernahrungswiss. 1991;  30 276-288
• 25 Raschka C, Plath M. Body fat compartment and its relationship to food intake and clinical chemical parameters during extreme endurance performance.  Schweiz Z Sportmed Sporttrauma. 1992;  40 13-25
• 26 Reid SA, King MJ. Serum biochemistry and morbidity among runners presenting for medical care after an Australian mountain ultramarathon.  Clin J Sport Med. 2007;  17 307-310
• 27 Williams KR. The relationship between mechanical and physiological energy estimates.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1985;  17 317-325

Correspondence