• Joana Rosado, João P Duarte, Paulo Sousa-E-Silva, Daniela C Costa, Diogo V Martinho, João Valente-Dos-Santos, Luís M Rama, Óscar M Tavares, Jorge Conde, Joaquim Castanheira, Rui Soles-Gonçalves, Daniel Courteix, and Manuel J Coelho-E-Silva.
• . Coimbra Health School, Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
• Rev Assoc Med Bras (1992). 2020 May 15; 66 (2): 180-186.

ObjectiveThe current study aimed to examine the body composition of adult male ultra-trail runners (UTR) according to their level of participation (regional UTR-R, vs. national UTR-N).MethodsThe sample was composed of 44 adult male UTR (aged 36.5±7.2 years; UTR-R: n=25; UTR-N: n=19). Body composition was assessed by air displacement plethysmography, bioelectrical impedance, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. In addition, the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) was applied. A comparison between the groups was performed using independent samples t-test.ResultsSignificant differences between groups contrasting in the competitive level were found for chronological age (in years; UTR-R: 38.8±8.2 vs. UTR-N: 33.5±4.1); body density (in L.kg-1; UTR-R: 1.062±0.015 vs. UTR-N: 1.074±0.009); and fat mass (in kg; UTR-R: 12.7±6.8 vs. UTR-N: 7.6±2.7).ConclusionUTR-N were younger, presented higher values for body density, and had less fat mass, although no significant differences were found for fat-free mass. The current study evidenced the profile of long-distance runners and the need for weight management programs to regulate body composition.

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