Body Composition Adaptations Throughout an Elite Circus Student-Artist Training Season

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to perform a longitudinal assessment of body composition of circus student-artists in an elite 3-year college training program. Ninety-two student-artists participated (age = 20.39 ± 2.42 years; height = 170.01 ± 8.01 cm; mass = 66.48 ± 11.07 kg; 36% female and 64% male), representing 92% of the student population. Body composition was assessed using multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance at four strategic time points throughout the training year to evaluate changes over the two semesters (September to December and January to April) and winter vacation (December to January). Workloads were subjectively assessed using ratings of perceived exertion (RPE). Averaged over the academic terms, fat mass was 11.5 ± 4.8%, muscle mass was 50.2 ± 3.4%, and body mass index was 22.9 ± 2.2. Males and females differed significantly across all absolute and relative body composition variables. Muscle mass increased (semester one, +1.0%, p < 0.001; semester two, +0.4%, p < 0.05) while fat mass decreased during each semester (semester one, -1.6%, p < 0.001; semester two, -0.6%, p < 0.05) co-varying with changes in RPE (semester one, +2.3, p < 0.05; semester two, +1.7, p < 0.05). During the winter vacation period, percent fat mass increased (males, +1.0%; females, +2.0%) and percent muscle mass decreased (males, -0.6%; females, -0.9%). Discipline-specific differences in body composition were also detected, and significant differences were observed between student-artists grouped by years in school. Over the training year, there was a positive adaptation for muscle and fat mass despite the negative adaptation experienced during the winter vacation period.