Characteristics of Changes in Body Composition Measurements Among Japanese Alpine Skiers

Abstract

This study aimed to clarify changes in body composition among young Japanese alpine skiers. The subjects are 11 skiers (7 males and 4 females). Their ages are 15 to 18 years old. No studies have measured the same skiers over the long term and described their characteristics. Therefore, in this study, body composition measurements were conducted three times, June 2024, November 2024, and July 2025. Measurements were taken using a multi-frequency measuring instrument (MC-780A-N, TANITA corporation, Japan). The data items of this measurement included weight, body fat percentage, fat mass, lean mass, muscle mass, and estimated bone mass. The average of fat mass was highest for both males and females in the measurements taken in November 2024. Consequently, the average of body fat percentage also peaked in November 2024. The average of muscle mass increased with each measurement for both males and females. A male skier was found to have gained 6.3 kg of muscle mass over the course of about one year. In addition, it was found that female skiers experience a fluctuation of 1–2 kg in body fat over the course of a year. Understanding the skier's body can be considered beneficial not only for maximizing performance but also for preventing injuries. The subjects of this study were a very small number of Japanese alpine skiers. Therefore, it is necessary to expand the sample size. I will examine the developmental characteristics of Japanese skiers while conducting international comparisons in the future.

Keywords: Skier, Health, Training, Physical Growth And Development

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1007827