Seasonal Changes in Body Fat Ratios of Elite Athletes

Abstract

In this study, the changes in the body fat percentage (BFP) of 38 athletes prepared for Kyrgyzstan National Team qualification competitions before 2016 Summer Olympic Games have been examined within the scope of the Project (BAP) during one season training period. The study has been applied out on 35 male and 3 female national athletes including 9 male Greco-Roman style wrestlers (24±4.5 years), 10 male freestyle wrestlers (22.10±3.21 years), 8 male judokas (23.6±1.89 years), 8 male athletes (29±2.87 years) and 3 female athletes (21.67±2.08 years).The body fat ratios (BFRs) of the participating athletes have been measured totally 3 times, immediately before the 6 month training period, 3 months later and 6 months after the period. In order to determine body fat percentage, skinfold thicknesses have been measured with HOLTAIN brand skinfold caliper and the body fat percentages have been determined according to the LANGE formula. The statistical evaluation of the findings has been carried out by SPSS 21.0 computer package program and the arithmetic mean and standard deviation of all parameters have been calculated. Differences in (P<0.05) level were accepted as significant. BFRs in Greco-Roman wrestling, free style wrestling, judo and male athletes haven’t shown statistical difference according to measurement times (P>0.05). However, each measurement has been determined numerically lower than the previous one. The lowest average of women athletes has been observed in the second measures. Conclusion; Although each measure in body fat percentages of wrestlers and judokas has not been found statistically significant with respect to the previous measurement, the low reflectance has been interpreted as a conscious body weight loss for adjusting the weight for the athletes who were competitors as they approached the competition period.