# Monitoring of Training Load and Body Composition in Elite Male Kayakers
## 2 Materials and Methods
### Body Composition and Physiological Demands and Performance-Related Variables
#### 2.2.1 Laboratory Tests  
Body composition measurements were performed by the same rater, in the same venue immediately before physiological tests to prevent sweating and blood flow to the skin from inducing measurement errors. Testing took place at the same moment of the day to avoid or minimize the effects of circadian variations. Body weight was assessed using a portable bioelectrical impedance scale (TANITA BC-418 MA Segmental Body Composition Analyzer Tanita Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) in the three moments at the same time of day (9:00 a.m.-1:15 p.m.) after morning ablutions and at least 1 h after regular breakfast. Athletes wore only their underwear. Height was measured with a portable stationeter (Holtain, UK) with the head positioned to the Frankfurt plane. Arm spam was measured using an anthropometer ([PERSON], GPM, Zurich, Switzerland). Both measurements were taken with a precision of 0.1 cm. The amount and peripheral dispersion of body fat were evaluated by measuring the thickness of subcutaneous adipose tissue. For skinfeld assessment, triple measurements were taken in eight standard sites: tricipital, bicipital, subscapular, supra iliac, supraspinal, abdominal, front thigh, and medial calf using the Harpender skinfeld caliper. The sum of the eight skinfolds gave an overview of the distribution of subcutaneous fat. The sum of four skinfolds (tricipital, bicipital, subscapular, and suprailiac) was used to calculate body density. Body density was estimated according to the [PERSON] and Womersley equations [7] and fat mass was calculated with [PERSON]'s equation [8]. All skinfolds were measured using standardized protocols established by the International Society for the Advancement of Kinnthropometry. All participants performed a 5 min warm-up (self-paced), and soon after, a 4 min all-out test [1] in a kayak-ergometer (Dansprint. I Bergmann A/S, Hvidovre, Denmark)  
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{|p{42.7 pt} p{42.7 pt} p{42.7 pt} p{42.7 pt} p{42.7 pt} p{42.7 pt} p{42.7 pt} p{42.7 pt} p{42.7 pt}|} \hline \multicolumn{1}{|c|}{**Volume (km)**} & \multicolumn{1}{c|}{30} & \multicolumn{1}{c|}{18} & \multicolumn{1}{c|}{25} & \multicolumn{1}{c|}{12} & \multicolumn{1}{c|}{29.25} & \multicolumn{1}{c|}{18} & \multicolumn{1}{c|}{12} \\ \multicolumn{1}{|c|}{**(km)**} & \multicolumn{1}{c|}{250} & \multicolumn{1}{c|}{1350} & \multicolumn{1}{c|}{200} & \multicolumn{1}{c|}{780} & \multicolumn{1}{c|}{2340.75} & \multicolumn{1}{c|}{1350} & \multicolumn{1}{c|}{280} \\ \hline \multirow{8}{*}{**Afternoon Session**} & **Strength** & \multirow{8}{*}{**Kayaking**} & \multirow{8}{*}{**Strength** 7 Sets**} & \multirow{8}{*}{**Strength** 12 km 12 repositions 8 maximal 65  
simulating a 1000 m flat-water race where peak oxygen uptake (\(\dot{\mathrm{VO}}_{\mathrm{2 peak}}\)) and heart rate at \(\dot{\mathrm{VO}}_{\mathrm{2 peak}}\) (HR at \(\dot{\mathrm{VO}}_{\mathrm{2 peak}}\)) were identified. Briefly, expired respiratory gas fractions were measured using an open circuit breath-by-breath automated gas-analysis system (Cortex, Metalyzer, 3 B, Leipzig, Germany). The processor provided 10 s averages of the respiratory data. The HR at \(\dot{\mathrm{VO}}_{\mathrm{2 peak}}\) was measured and recorded every 5 s using an HR monitor (Polar(r) OH1; Polar Electro Oy, Kempele, Finland). Maximal effort during the 4 min all-out test was assumed when respiratory exchange ratio \(\geq\) 1.15 or blood lactate \(\geq\) 8 mmol\(\cdot\)L\({}^{-1}\) and maximal HR \(\geq\) 90% of the age-predicted maximal heart rate. Parallel to the evaluation of the \(\dot{\mathrm{VO}}_{\mathrm{2 peak}}\), ergometric data were collected corresponding to the distance covered during the 4 min all-out test (distance at \(\dot{\mathrm{VO}}_{\mathrm{2 peak}}\). Capillary blood samples were collected from the earlobe with Lactate Pro 2 analyzer (Arkay, Inc, Kyoto, Japan) to assess blood lactate concentration ([La\({}^{-}\)]) and at the 3 rd and 5 th min soon after the 4 min all-out test. Thus, [La\({}^{-}\)]\({}_{\mathrm{peak}}\) values were computed.