The importance of complex anthropometrics in the assessment of cyclists

The description and analysis of body dimensions is vital, not merely to monitor training, performance and talent identification, but to understand the evolution and development of sport. Recent literature suggested that complex anthropometrics, such as volume and area, can identify changes in body size and shape that might otherwise go unnoticed by simple anthropometrics as well as providing a more realistic representation of the body. The aim of this programme of doctoral study was to determine the importance of complex anthropometrics in the kinanthropometric assessment of cyclists. Stereo photogrammetry imaging was identified as the most suitable method of acquiring simple and complex anthropometrics. Validation of a stereo photogrammetry imaging system - 3dMDbody5 - was conducted using validation objects (precision engineered cylinders) and human participants, to determine the system's accuracy, repeatability and agreement with manual measurement methods. These investigations suggested the 3dMDbody5 system to be capable of detecting differences greater than 0.67 cm in girths, 0.48 cm2 in cross sectional areas, 67.85 ml in volumes and 0.99 cm2 in surface areas. In addition, the system demonstrated strong agreement with manual measurements, within that required by established industry standards (ISAK and ISO). Consequently, the 3dMDbody5 system was deemed suitable for use in subsequent investigations. Using the 3dMDbody5 imaging system a series of investigations were conducted to examine the importance of complex anthropometrics in the lower body kinanthropometric assessment of cyclists. First, in a descriptive context, an investigation into the extent to which simple and complex anthropometrics can distinguish between non-cyclists and cyclists from different disciplines was conducted. Second, in an applied context, the extent to which simple and complex anthropometrics explained the variance in peak power output was investigated. Third, in a longitudinal context, the anthropometrics and peak power output of a group of cyclists were monitored over the course of a power based training phase. This was to assess if changes in peak power output related to changes in anthropometrics and the extent to which simple and complex anthropometrics identified morphological change. The findings of these investigations provide a more detailed understanding of the lower body anthropometrics of cyclists. Moreover, demonstrating that in descriptive, applied and longitudinal kinanthropometric assessment of cyclists complex anthropometrics complement simple anthropometrics, and in some cases distinguished differences / changes that are unidentifiable through simple anthropometrics alone.