Changes in Body Tissue Composition During the Transeuropean Footrace 2009 Assessed by Whole-Body MRI in 12 Finishers

Jrgen Machann¹, Christian Billich², Kathrin Knig¹, Christian Wrslin¹, Fritz Schick¹, Uwe Schtz²

Twelve endurance athletes underwent follow-up MR examinations during the Transeuropean Footrace 2009 from Bari to the North Cape on a mobile MR-scanner for determination of whole-body tissue composition. A T1-weighted TSE sequence was applied and different adipose tissue (AT) compartments as well as muscle mass in lower and upper extremities were quantified and analyzed. All AT compartments showed a strong reduction during the race with the strongest decline for visceral AT (-70% compared to baseline). Muscle mass of lower extremities was also reduced. Comparison of these MRI-findings with biometrical data and laboratory findings will present further details regarding tissue metabolism and energy balance during long distance running.