Author(s): FIAUD, V., SHIM, A., SPECK, T., Institution: WEST TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY, Country: UNITED STATES, Abstract-ID: 1483

INTRODUCTION:
Home-schooling is the fastest growing form of education in the past 5 years [1]. In Texas, homeschoolers’ competition access is regulated by the school districts who decide who participates. With limited access to athletic competitions and training facilities, homeschooled athletes rely on parents and volunteers to provide training. Long distance running season is split into 2 periods, the cross-country Fall season and the track Spring season. Body fat percentage is commonly known to affect athletes abilities to perform and directly relates to endurance runners [2]. Keating et al. (2017) stated that no significant body fat changes were recorded between the two training types with a relatively short intervention. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of 2 different 8-week training protocols on youth long distance runners’ body fat percentage during the winter break.
METHODS:
Twenty-four youth homeschooled athletes (m= 12, f=12, range: 9-18 years old) were recruited. All participants were healthy with no injuries within the last 3 months. Two 8-week training protocols were developed: 1 running and 1 blended running/strength, all age & level appropriate. A control group with no training was included for reference. All subjects were randomly assigned to one of the three groups (Running, Blend, Control). Their body composition was tested at t1 (Nov.), t2 (Jan.) and t3 (May) using the BodPod. A 3x3 factorial repeated measures ANOVA explored the differences in groups over time. Significance was set at P<0.05.
RESULTS:
The results showed no statistically significant interaction Group x Time (Wilks ‘Lambda = .848, F(4,44) =.946, p=.446). A main effect for Time showed statistical differences. Overall, the body fat percentage of the participants increased significantly (Wilks ‘Lambda = .667, F(2,22)=5.494,p=.012) from the t1, at the end of the cross-country season (M=17.058%), to t2, at the completion of the 8-week training program (M=20.069%). The observed power was .797. No statistically significant differences were observed between the data collected at t1 season and t3 (p=.055), or between the data collected at t2 and t3 (p≈1.000).
CONCLUSION:
This study investigated the effects of 2 training programs on body composition in homeschooled youth long distance runner. The findings of this study tend to support that training in-between the competitive seasons is not necessary to maintain body fat percentage at a specific level. It is interesting to also note that the break occurs during the winter, possibly affecting the body fat percentage. In addition, developing youth athletes’ bodies may respond differently than adults to training. From a practical standpoint, it would mean that the methods of exercise do not influence the results and thus, the coaching staff should consider the athlete’s preferences as well as access to facilities. As a conclusion, it appears that the program that would generate the best adherence should be preferred.
1. Jamison-2023 2.Dellagrana-2015