Body composition and performance in shot put athletes at preseason and at competition.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the current study was to investigate the relationship between fat-free mass and shot put performance at the beginning of the winter preparation cycle and at the first peak of the season (12 wk later) in well-trained shot-putters using the rotational style.


METHODS
Eight national-level shot put athletes followed their individual training programs for a period of 12 wk aiming at the national indoor championship. Shot put performance with the rotational style as well as from the power position was determined before and after this 12 wk period. Body composition was determined before and after the training period with dual x-ray absorptiometry.


RESULTS
Shot put from the power position was increased by 3% (P = .03) while shot put with the rotational style was increased by 6.5% (P < .01). Fat-free mass, body fat and bone mineral density were not altered after the training period. The correlation coefficient between fat-free mass and shot put performance from the power position was significant (r = .76 preseason vs r = .66, competition; P < .05). The correlation coefficient between fat-free mass and shot put performance with the rotational style was significant at the beginning of the training period (r = .70, P < .05) but it was decreased to moderate and nonsignificant levels at competition (r = .55, ns).


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that the increase of fat-free mass might not be the most essential element for competition when the rotational shot put style is involved.
Kyriazis
Thomas
T
Athletics Laboratory, School of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Terzis
Gerasimos
G
Karampatsos
Giorgos
G
Kavouras
Stavros
S
Georgiadis
Giorgos
G
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001823:Body Composition; D003163:Competitive Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D014142:Track and Field / Q000502:physiology*