Is Body Fat a Predictor Variable for Race Performance in Recreational Female Ironman Triathletes

Introduction and aim of the study: Low body fat is related to race performance in endurance athletes. We investigated whether characteristics of anthropometry, training or previous performance were related to race time in recreational female Ironman triathletes. Methods: In 31 female Ironman triathletes, with (mean and SD) 36.8 (6.2) years, 60.8 (6.2) kg body mass, 1.66 (0.06) m body height and a body mass index of 21.6 (1.3) kg/m2, anthropometric characteristics, such as body mass, body height, body mass index, circumferences and length of limbs, skin-fold thicknesses and body fat percentage, and characteristics of training, such as volume and intensity in all sub disciplines, were related to total race time including split times using correlations analysis. Also, personal best times in marathon running, Olympic and Ironman triathlons were related to race time. Results: Neither anthropometric nor training characteristics were related to total race time or split times. Personal best time in a marathon (r=0.51), personal best time in an Olympic distance triathlon (r=0.70) and personal best time in an Ironman triathlon (r=0.70) were significantly and positively related to total race time. Personal best time in an Olympic distance was significantly and positively related to personal best time in an Ironman triathlon (r=0.63). Conclusion: We must assume that previous performance is of higher importance than anthropometric or training characteristics for a successful race outcome in recreational female Ironman triathletes.