Variation in Habitual Activity and Body Composition: A Segmental Body Comparison of Runners and Swimmers
Abstract
There is considerable evidence that differences in patterns of habitual activity influence the distribution of skeletal tissue within the human skeleton, but little is known about variation in soft tissue. This thesis examines body composition and surface scan data from runners, swimmers, and a ‘recreational control’ population to investigate differences in the properties of limb segment surface areas and volumes, muscle mass, and fat mass. It also explores the relationship between activity and aging through the examination of body composition and volumetric measurements in older-adult habitual swimmers. The findings show that resulting limb segment properties support assumptions of running as a lower-limb dominant and swimming as an upper limb dominant activity. Habitual swimming also displays a positive effect on the preservation of skeletal muscle mass across the life course. This thesis suggests non-impact loading results in demonstrable differences in body morphology, emphasizing the importance of activity throughout the life course.