Anthropological status of international calibre speed skaters

The purpose of the study was to determine the anthropological status of elite male and female speed skaters, who were members of the 1985-7 Canadian national teams. The data were compared to those for a control group of University students. The subjects were 8 males and 6 females between 19 and 27 years of age. Nine breadth, 14 girth, 16 length and 15 skinfold measurements were used to compute parameters of body build and the composition; corrected diameters, masses, volumes and fat-free volumes of the upper arm, forearm, thigh and calf. The speed skaters were found to be similar in body height and mass (males: 178 +/- 7.6 cm and 75.5 +/- 5.5 kg, females: 165.8 +/- 3.8 cm and 62.3 +/- 5.8 kg) to the student controls, but they had relatively and absolutely shorter legs and longer trunks. The speed skaters had a lower amount of body fat and higher FFM than their respective student controls and significantly greater relative (P less than or equal to 0.01) and absolute (P less than or equal to 0.05) total muscle mass. Analysis of composition within segments indicated that the additional muscle mass is located entirely in the lower extremity. The volume and mass of the thigh was greater (P less than or equal to 0.01 for the males) than that of the respective controls while the estimated volume of fat was lower. The female speed skaters were found to have more fat on their thigh than either the male speed skaters or male controls. The corrected diameter and mass of the thigh were greater (with respect to the sex) than those reported for 400 m sprinters, marathon runners, cross-country skiers and figure skaters. The results of the initial assessment were compared to the two consecutive tests of the men's team (conducted 8 and 12 months later) and to one repeated test of the women's team (3 months later). Changes were recorded in skinfold measurements and the muscle component of the thigh.