Body Composition before and after the Marathon Run

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: We studied the effect of marathon running on body composition without fluid and food restriction. METHOD: The subjects were 17 nonprofessional male athletes, aged from 27 years to 47 years, who participated in a marathon run. Body composition was measured before and after marathon run with bioelectrical impedance analysis. RESULTS: After the marathon, body mass was decreased by 1.99 +/- 0.51 kg (p<0.0001), fat mass was decreased by 4.81 +/- 2.64 kg (p<0.0001), percent body fat mass was decreased by 6.11 +/- 3.67% (p<0.0001), and body mass index was decreased by 0.69 +/- 0.19 kg/m2 (p<0.0001). Circumferences of upper arm, abdomen, hip, and thigh were significantly reduced by 0.5 +/- 0.2 cm, 3.0 +/- 2.88 cm, 2.33 +/- 2.3 cm, and 0.71 1.18 cm, respectively. Lean body mass was increased by 2.82 +/- 2.63 kg (p=0.001). Total body water was increased by 1.97 1.84 liter (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: These results demonstrated that marathon run reduced body fat mass and preserved lean body mass.