# Anthropometric Characteristics of Road Cyclists of Different Performance Levels
## 4 Discussion  
This was the first study to assess the anthropometric differences between cyclists of different performance levels, with special emphasis on skinfolds and perimeters. The main findings were the following: (1) There were no significant anthropometric differences between trained, well trained and professional cyclists, with only recreationally trained cyclists exhibiting larger perimeters and skinfolds; (2) Although physiological performance factors, such as VO\({}_{\text{2 max}}\) and RCP, correlated negatively with several skinfolds and perimeters, these correlations remained restrained. Road cycling is an endurance sport in which the power to weight ratio plays a crucial role in performance. Body mass, BMI, height and skeletal muscle mass are normally exposed as determining factors in the role of the cyclist and his or her performance [6]. A recent study performed on cyclists of different categories reported lower relative fat mass and higher muscle mass in professional cyclists [15]. These results seem gender  
Figure 1: Summary of correlations using Spearman coefficients. Direction and magnitudes are highlighted by colors according to the legend scale. Non-significant correlations (Holm adjusted \(p\) > 0.05) are crossed. irrelevant, as lower body mass and reduced skinfolds were also reported in female elite cyclists [16]. Thus, it could be expected that higher performing cyclists would exhibit several anthropometrical characteristics, such as reduced body mass, body fat percentage and BMI. Further, differences in skinfolds and perimeters could also be expected, given that these parameters are normally used to estimate body fat. However, the data displayed in the current study showed differences only between recreationally trained and professional cyclists. This finding supports the fact that anthropometric factors are necessary for optimal performance, but do not distinguish between already performing cyclists and those who excel in the sport [4]. Instead, as has previously been proposed, these parameters may be more useful for differentiation between the cycling specialties of already performing cyclists [6]. Regarding this differentiation at the elite level of the sport, a recent study analyzed the anthropometric factors of 76 male professional cyclists of different specialties [6]. In this study, there were differences across the specialties even when all the cyclists had a similar performance level. This further suggests that anthropometric factors may be related to the cycling specialty of each cyclist, regardless of the performance level. Particularly, there are relevant differences between climbers and sprinters, with larger body mass, girths and skinfolds reported for sprinters [17]. These findings have been frequently reported in the literature, with similar differences in other cycling disciplines, such as track cycling, where sprinters showed a greater BMI, muscle mass and limb girth, and lower fat percentage than endurance cyclists [18]. Similar findings have also been reported in female cyclists, with lower body mass and skinfolds in road versus track athletes [19]. It should be highlighted, however, that although no significant differences were reported between the three most performing groups of the current study, there was a general tendency towards reduced skinfolds and perimeters with increasing performance level. This tendency supports the importance of a correct optimization of body composition in order to perform at a high level [5]. One of the main interests of the current study was to explore the relationship between physiological parameters, such as VO\({}_{\text{2 max}}\) and RCP, with anthropometric variables. Accordingly, VO\({}_{\text{2 max}}\) and RCP correlated negatively with body mass, BMI and fat mass; triceps brachii and abdominal skinfolds; as well as waist and hip perimeters.