Author(s): CHEN, W., CHEN, Y.K., Institution: NATIONAL DONG HWA UNIVERSITY, Country: TAIWAN, Abstract-ID: 726

INTRODUCTION:
Long-term monitoring of body composition is crucial for optimizing training adaptation and competition readiness in elite paddling sports such as dragon boat racing. Seasonal changes in body mass, skeletal muscle mass, and body fat percentage reflect training load, nutritional strategies, and recovery status, particularly during training camps before major championships. However, limited longitudinal evidence has compared adolescent and adult national-team dragon boat athletes across seasonal phases. This study examined monthly body composition changes across pre-camp, training camp, and post-season periods in high school and collegiate paddlers preparing for an Asian Dragon Boat Championships and assessed whether age group moderated these responses.
METHODS:
Sixteen national-team athletes were monitored monthly from April to November and coached by the same head coach. Participants were divided into a high school group (n = 8; 16–18 years) and a collegiate group (n = 8; 18–21 years). Measurements were grouped into pre-camp (April–June), training camp (July–September), and post-season (October–November). Body mass, skeletal muscle mass, and body fat percentage were assessed using a multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analyzer (InBody 770, Seoul, Korea). Mixed-design two-way ANOVAs (group × month) were performed, followed by Fisher’s LSD post-hoc tests where appropriate (p < .05).
RESULTS:
Significant group × month interactions were observed for all variables (p < .05). In the collegiate group, body mass and muscle mass did not differ across months, whereas body fat percentage showed a significant main effect, with October and November higher with the other months (p < .05). In the high school group, all parameters demonstrated significant main effects across months (p < .05). Skeletal muscle mass was lowest in August, while body mass and body fat percentage were lower in August and September with the other months.
CONCLUSION:
Adolescent and collegiate athletes showed contrasting longitudinal responses despite identical coaching environments. Collegiate athletes maintained stable body mass and muscle mass but increased body fat percentage post-season, whereas high school athletes exhibited marked mid-season reductions in all parameters, particularly during the training camp period. These findings support age-specific monitoring and targeted nutritional and recovery strategies during training camps and highlight the value of longitudinal profiling when preparing athletes for major competitions.