Descriptive analysis of anthropometric and body composition characteristics in youth cycling performance
Abstract View: 6,
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32665/citius.v6i1.6362Keywords:
cycling performance, body composition, body fat percentage, muscle mass, anthropometryAbstract
Cycling performance is influenced by anthropometric characteristics and body composition that play a role in power production and motion efficiency. This study aims to describe the relationship of anthropometric characteristics and body composition with bicycle racing performance in adolescent mountain bike (MTB) athletes. The study used a descriptive quantitative design with a sample of three top-ranked athletes in the 2025 MTB criteria race in the 12-15 year age category in Lampung, Indonesia. Variables measured include completion time, final rating, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, and muscle mass percentage. Anthropometric Data were measured using a stadiometer, body composition using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and racing performance was obtained from official competition records. Data analysis is done descriptively. The results showed that athletes with better performance tended to have a lower percentage of body fat and a higher percentage of muscle mass. Athletes with the fastest times had the most favorable body composition profiles, while BMI and general anthropometric measures did not show a consistent pattern of relationship with performance. Inferences of body composition, particularly low body fat and high muscle mass, are more related to cycling performance than to general anthropometric measures or BMI. However, these findings need to be interpreted carefully due to the very small sample size. Further studies are suggested involving larger samples and additional physiological variables.
References
Belzunce, M. A., Henckel, J., Di Laura, A., Horga, L. M., & Hart, A. J. (2023). Similarities and
differences in skeletal muscle and body composition between sexes: an MRI study of
recreational cyclists. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 9(3).
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2023-001672
Cichosz, S. L., Vestergaard, P., & Hejlesen, O. (2023). Body Composition Prediction—BOMP: A
New Tool for Assessing Fat and Lean Body Mass. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology,
(3), 757–761. https://doi.org/10.1177/19322968221076560
Dulloo, A. G., Jacquet, J., Montani, J. P., & Schutz, Y. (2015). How dieting makes the lean fatter:
From a perspective of body composition autoregulation through adipostats and proteinstats
awaiting discovery. Obesity Reviews, 16(S1), 25–35. https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.12253
Faulkner, S. H., Jobling, P., Faulkner, S. H., & Jobling, P. (2020). The Effect of Upper-Body
Positioning on the Aerodynamic–Physiological Economy of Time-Trial Cycling. International
Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 16(1), 51–58.
https://doi.org/10.1123/IJSPP.2019-0547
Firmansyah, G., S, A., Utama, M. B. R., Aliriad, H., & Aliriad, G. F. A. S. M. B. R. U. H. (2022).
Aktivitas Fisik Dan Indeks Massa Tubuh Siswa Pada Saat Pandemi Siswa Pondok Pesantren.
Citius : Jurnal Pendidikan Jasmani, Olahraga, Dan Kesehatan, 2(1), 58–63.
https://doi.org/10.32665/citius.v2i1.449
Fornasiero, A., Savoldelli, A., Modena, R., Boccia, G., Pellegrini, B., & Schena, F. (2018).
Physiological and anthropometric characteristics of top-level youth cross-country cyclists.
Journal of Sports Sciences, 36(8), 901–906. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2017.1346271
Gilang, Amirudin, A., Perdinanto, & Perdinanto, G. A. A. (2025). Analysis of the physical condition
of popda athletics athletes of tanah laut regency. Citius : Jurnal Pendidikan Jasmani, Olahraga,
Dan Kesehatan, 5(1), 64–72. https://doi.org/10.32665/citius.v5i1.4435
Giovanelli, L., Biganzoli, G., Spataro, A., Malacarne, M., Bernardelli, G., Spada, R., Pagani, M.,
Biganzoli, E., & Lucini, D. (2023). Body composition assessment in a large cohort of Olympic
athletes with different training loads: possible reference values for fat mass and fat-free mass
domains. Acta Diabetologica 2023 61:3, 61(3), 361–372. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00592-023-
-y
Burhaan Shodiq, Inosen Lingsir Maghribi , Muhamad Ihsan Hufadz, Azry Ayu Nabillah, Erny Amalia Lestari.
Descriptive analysis of anthropometric and body composition characteristics in youth cycling performance | 97
http://journal.unugiri.ac.id/index.php/citius
CITIUS: Jurnal Pendidikan Jasmani, Olahraga, dan Kesehatan, Vol. 6 No.1 2026, 92-99
Kordi, M., Folland, J., Goodall, S., Haralabidis, N., Maden-Wilkinson, T., Sarika Patel, T., Leeder,
J., Barratt, P., & Howatson, G. (2020). Mechanical and morphological determinants of peak
power output in elite cyclists. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, 30(2),
–237. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.13570
Korff, T., Hunter, E. L., & Martin, J. C. (2009). Muscular and non-muscular contributions to
maximum power cycling in children and adults: implications for developmental motor control.
Journal of Experimental Biology, 212(5), 599–603. https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.020180
Lanferdini, F. J., Kons, R. L., Detanico, D., Dal Pupo, J., de Lucas, R. D., & Vaz, M. A. (2024).
Anthropometric, neuromuscular, physiologic and training variables as determinants to
laboratory cycling performance. The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 64(5),
–438. https://doi.org/10.23736/S0022-4707.24.15547-8
Mandal, A., & Kadyan, G. (2021). To Assess and Correlate Cardiorespiratory Adaptations in
Endurance-Trained Cyclist and Recreational Cyclist. International Journal of Physiotherapy
and Research, 9(6), 4058–4065. https://doi.org/10.16965/ijpr.2021.193
Peeters, W. M., Barrett, M., & Podlogar, T. (2025). What is a cycling race simulation anyway: a
review on protocols to assess durability in cycling. European Journal of Applied Physiology
125:6, 125(6), 1527–1548. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-025-05725-1
Haeril. (2025). The impact of physical activity on obesity prevention in children aged 13-15 years
based on narrative literature review. Citius : Jurnal Pendidikan Jasmani, Olahraga, Dan
Kesehatan, 5(1), 01–10. https://doi.org/10.32665/citius.v5i1.4423
Rønnestad, B. R., Hansen, J., Hollan, I., & Ellefsen, S. (2015). Strength training improves
performance and pedaling characteristics in elite cyclists. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and
Science in Sports, 25(1), e89–e98. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.12257
Sánchez-Jiménez, J. L., Javaloyes, A., Peña-González, I., Moya-Ramón, M., & Mateo-March, M.
(2025). Record Power Profile in Elite Olympic Cross-Country Mountain Bike Cyclists:
Normative Values and Fatigue Effects. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports,
(11), e70170. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.70170
Sánchez-Muñoz, C., Mateo-March, M., Muros, J. J., Javaloyes, A., & Zabala, M. (2023).
Anthropometric characteristics according to the role performed by World Tour road cyclists for
their team. European Journal of Sport Science, 23(9), 1821–1828.
https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2022.2132879
Sarkar, S., Dasgupta, S., Meitei, K. K., Adhikari, S., Bandyopadhyay, A., & Dey, S. K. (2020). Effect
of Eccentric Cycling and Plyometric Training on Physiological and Performance Related
Parameters of Trained Junior Track Cyclists. Polish Journal of Sport and Tourism, 27(1), 14–
https://doi.org/10.2478/pjst-2020-0003
Sellés-Pérez, S., Fernández-Sáez, J., Férriz-Valero, A., Esteve-Lanao, J., & Cejuela, R. (2019).
Changes in Triathletes’ Performance and Body Composition During a Specific Training Period
for a Half-Ironman Race. Journal of Human Kinetics, 67(1), 185–198.
https://doi.org/10.2478/hukin-2018-0077
Burhaan Shodiq, Inosen Lingsir Maghribi , Muhamad Ihsan Hufadz, Azry Ayu Nabillah, Erny Amalia Lestari.
Descriptive analysis of anthropometric and body composition characteristics in youth cycling performance | 98
http://journal.unugiri.ac.id/index.php/citius
CITIUS: Jurnal Pendidikan Jasmani, Olahraga, dan Kesehatan, Vol. 6 No.1 2026, 92-99
Sitko, S., Cirer-Sastre, R., Garatachea, N., & López-Laval, I. (2022). Anthropometric Characteristics
of Road Cyclists of Different Performance Levels. Applied Sciences 2023, Vol. 13, Page 224,
(1), 224. https://doi.org/10.3390/app13010224
Summer, L. C., Cheng, R., Moran, J. T., Lee, M., Belanger, A. J., Taylor, W. L., & Gardner, E. C.
(2024). Changes in Body Composition and Athletic Performance in National Collegiate Athletic
Association Division I Female Field Hockey Athletes Throughout a Competitive Season.
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 38(1), 146–152.
https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000004591
Tiemeier, L., Nikolaidis, P. T., Chlíbková, D., Wilhelm, M., Thuany, M., Weiss, K., & Knechtle, B.
(2024). Ultra-Cycling– Past, Present, Future: A Narrative Review. Sports Medicine - Open 2024
:1, 10(1), 48-. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-024-00715-7
van der Zwaard, S., de Ruiter, C. J., Jaspers, R. T., & de Koning, J. J. (2019). Anthropometric Clusters
of Competitive Cyclists and Their Sprint and Endurance Performance. Frontiers in Physiology,
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2019.01276
Wagner, D. R. (2025). Cell membrane capacitance relationship to reference-measured body
composition parameters in young adult athletes. Journal of Electrical Bioimpedance, 16(1),
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
Abstract View: 6,
PDF Download: 0
SIMILARITY CHECK Download: 0
