Last January, we performed a series of scans on runners attending our London Marathon Preparation Day.
And for one runner in particular, he was very glad we did…….
His hydration report came back to show he had:
In short, he was chronically dehydrated.
Had he carried on training without addressing his poor hydration status, there was a good chance he would end up with severe cramps, injury, low energy levels and/ or possibly kidney damage.
You can view his hydration report showed by clicking here
This is just one of the many reasons why Body Composition Analysis is fast becoming an integral part of a marathon training programme.
A Body Scan takes alot of the guess work out of the nutritional aspect of marathon training and can tell you:
What you’re made of has a huge affect on your ability to be able to tolerate the stresses of regular training.
For a procedure that takes just a few seconds, here’s an insight into what you can find out about your body:
Lean Muscle Mass - The higher your lean muscle mass %, the better your joints will be protected and supported during long training runs.
Hydration status - By knowing your Intra Cellular and Extra Cellular water levels, an analysis can determine how well hydrated you are and whether you are sufficiently hydrated to reduce the burden on your kidneys. Sufficient hydration also ensures the muscles contract smoothly - thereby reducing the risk of muscular injury and cramp.
Basal and Active Metabolic rate - How many calories / carbs should you eat every day to meet the demands of training?
Without a body composition analysis, it’s guess work - but once you know how much lean muscle you have, knowing how many calories you burn at rest and during exercise can be calculated incredibly accurately.
If you attend a Marathon Preparation Day organised by any of the following Charities, you will be given the opportunity to sign up for a Body Composition scan:
For a small (and significantly reduced fee) you will not only receive the results immediately, you will also be sent a detailed report with your full results - see Sample Body Scan Report.
GH Training will also donate a percentage of the fee to your chosen Charity.
To find out more about how a Body Composition Analysis can help you with your marathon preparations - Please click here.