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

A review of commercially available 3D surface imaging systems for body composition estimation

Recent literature has suggested 3D surface imaging to be a potential method of estimating body composition. The aim of this study was to provide an overview of commercially available 3D surface imaging systems that provide body composition estimates. User and system details of complete commercially available whole body 3D surface imaging systems, which estimate body composition, were collated from May to June 2022. Six 3D body surface imaging systems were identified, each of which provided varying amounts of user and system details. As this information is necessary to ensure the correct selection of system, appropriate use, and interpretation of outputs, manufacturers should seek to publicly present more detailed user and system details, international standards groups and training associations should seek to encourage standardisation, and practitioners and researchers should request additional details where necessary and validate their system prior to use, and end users should cautiously interpret outputs without the availability of comprehensive user and system details

Advanced Body Measurement Techniques Can Complement Current Methods of Cytotoxic Chemotherapy Dose Prescription

Within chemotherapy, estimates of a patient’s body surface area (BSA) are used to calculate drug dosages. However, the use of BSA for calculating chemotherapy dosage has been heavily criticised in previous literature, with potentially significant implications for the effectiveness and toxicity of treatment. BSA has been found to be a poor indicator of optimal drug exposure that does not account for the complex processes of cytotoxic drug distribution and elimination. In addition, differences in BSA estimates between existing formulae have been shown to be so large that they can affect patients’ mortality, particularly in patients with atypical body types. This uncertainty associated with BSA prediction may decrease the confidence of practitioners when determining chemotherapy dosages, particularly with regards to the risk of excess toxicity from over-dosing, or a reduced anti-cancer effect due to under-dosing. The use of national dose-banding in the UK may in some cases account for possible inaccuracies, but the threshold of variance in this case is small (+/− 6%). Advanced body measurement techniques, utilising digital tools such as three-dimensional (3D) surface imaging, capture accurate external dimensions and detailed shape characteristics of the human body. Measures of body shape describe morphological variations that cannot be identified by traditional anthropometric techniques and improve the prediction of total body fat and distribution. It is our view that the use of advanced body measurement techniques can provide practitioners with tools for prescribing chemotherapy dosages that are valid for individuals, regardless of their body type