Ultrasound-Based Assessment of Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue Changes During a 7-Day Ultramarathon: Association with Anthropometric Indices, Not Body Mass.

Background

Accurately tracking body-composition changes in endurance field settings remains methodologically challenging. This study aimed to evaluate whether changes in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) across a 7-day ultramarathon are better reflected by anthropometric indices than by body mass (BM) alone.

Methods

Twenty ultrarunners were assessed using both anthropometric indices and ultrasound measurements of SAT thickness, applying a novel method that distinguishes layers including (DI) versus excluding (DE) embedded fibrous structures. Measurements were obtained before the race and after Stages 4 and 7. Indices included body mass index (BMI), mass index (MII), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR).

Results

Total SAT thickness decreased significantly for both DI (p = 0.001) and DE (p < 0.001). BM, BMI, MII, and WHtR also declined significantly post-race (p < 0.001). SAT reduction was most pronounced at the abdominal and thigh sites. Additionally, ultrarunners with lower DE values exhibited lower fat at the abdomen and distal triceps. BMI was significantly related to DE at the upper and lower abdomen and erector spinae; MII was significantly associated with DE at the upper and lower abdomen; and WHtR correlated with both DE and DI at abdominal and erector spinae sites. BM showed no significant association with any SAT parameter.

Conclusions

Ultrasound-derived SAT thickness, in combination with BMI, MII, and WHtR, offers a field-feasible approach to evaluate body-composition change during multistage ultramarathons. In contrast, BM alone does not reliably reflect SAT distribution or loss.