PhysFit tests, concentrating on the domain of
strength. These tests were selected according to the
fact that they can be applied to subjects practicing
different sports, as well as in young controls.
Interestingly, no increase in HGS was observed in
Cross-Fit® athletes, in agreement with previous study
on Judo (Sterkowicz et al. 2016). On the contrary,
higher mean values were observed for L-J, SQ-J and
CM-J, demonstrating an improvement in the
explosive strength of lower limbs.
Finally, an interesting issue was to explore
whether and to what extent PhysFit was related to
those raw BIA variables that are promising markers
of muscle structure. As far as we know, no consistent
data are available in the literature on the topic (Di
Vincenzo et al. 2019).
Based on our results (partial correlation), the
fitness variables considered were all significantly
associated, although differently, with IR and PhA. It
should be noted that the associations with L-J, SQ-J
and CM-J were stronger for lower limb than upper
limb IR or PhAs, while the opposite was observed for
HGS. While our results are pretty consistent, a small
sample of Cross-Fit® athletes has been evaluated and
gender differences were not analysed because only
young men were measured. Moreover, further studies
are needed to confirm that the concurrent use of BIA
and physical fitness tests is a valuable approach for
assessing muscle quality in athletes in terms of both
muscle structure and strength.
In conclusion, raw BIA variables such as IR and
PhA significantly change in male Cross-Fit® athletes
compared to controls, suggesting higher BCM, and
also exhibit significant relationships with PhysFit.
More information on body composition are given by
segmental BIA of upper and lower limbs, which can
be useful for a better evaluation of the relationships
between body composition and PhysFit.
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