title: Effect of gender specific anthropometric characteristics on lung function in young competitive triathletes from Malaysia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Anthropometric and lung function characteristics of triathletes are important for the implementation of individual specific training and recovery recommendations. However, limited data are available for these parameters in triathletes. Hence, the aim of this study was to characterize and examine the gender differences of lung function and anthropometry parameters in competitive triathletes from Malaysia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Body composition assessment and lung function tests were performed on sixteen competitive triathletes (nine male and seven female). The subject's body composition profile including muscle mass (kg), fat free mass (kg), and percent body fat was measured using a bio-impedance segmental body composition analyzer. Forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) were measured by Quark PFT2 spirometer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The anthropometric measurements revealed that male triathletes were significantly taller than female triathletes and had significantly more protein and skeletal muscle mass. The female triathletes, however, had significantly higher percent body fat. Male triathletes had statistically significant higher FVC and FEV1 than female triathletes. Both the male and female triathletes showed a positive correlation between height, fat free mass and the lung function markers FVC and FEV1. This association was not seen with Body Mass Index (BMI) in female triathletes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The data from our study shows that anthropometric parameters are directly linked to lung function of a triathlete. We also found the relationship between BMI and lung function to be gender specific in triathletes and is dependent on the body protein and fat content. Hence, body composition characterization is essential and provides valuable information for developing individual specific training modules.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Defence Health, National Defence University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Hanapi M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Johari
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Defence Health, National Defence University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Hakimi A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Zainudin
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Defence Health, National Defence University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Victor F
authors.initials: VF
authors.lastname: Knight
authors.affiliation: Head Coach, Team Time Triathlon, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Steven A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Lumley
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Defence Studies and Management, National Defence University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Ananthan S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Subramanium
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Defence Health, National Defence University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Brinnell A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Caszo
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Defence Health, National Defence University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - gnanou_j@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Justin V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Gnanou
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D056352:Athletes; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D017097:Electric Impedance; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000502:physiology*; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests / Q000379:methods*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013147:Spirometry / Q000379:methods; D014797:Vital Capacity; D055815:Young Adult