Physiological and anthropometric profile of Colombian cross-country mountain bikers across age categories (U15, U17, and U20)

Abstract

Background/Objectives: In recent years, cross-country mountain biking (Mtb-Xco) has attracted considerable research attention, with studies investigating factors that influence performance at physiological, mechanical, anthropometric, and technical levels. Despite the growing scientific output regarding predictors of performance in Mtb-Xco from physiological and anthropometric perspectives, few studies integrate a joint analysis of variables based on categories, particularly in the Colombian and Latin American populations. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was performed to identify key physiological and anthropometric variables in young Colombian mountain bikers. A convenience sample of 21 athletes was organized into three age categories: U15–16 (n = 8), U17–19 (n = 7), and U20 (n = 6). Descriptive statistics, including mean and standard deviation (SD), were calculated, and the normality and homoscedasticity of the data were verified using the Shapiro–Wilk test. Parametric tests were subjected to ANOVA, with an effect measure n² for the means and standard deviation; non-parametric tests were developed using the Kruskal-Wallis test with medians and parameter ε. Results: Vo2max and maximum power in the maximum values of the incremental test with moderate-large effect sizes (η² or ε²) were the most decisive factors in the incremental test, as was Vo2HR, which reported differences between categories in both VT1, VT2, and Vo2max. Regarding the components of the anthropometry variable, significant differences were found in the circumference of the relaxed arm (p<0.02), flexed arm (p<0.04), and calf circumference (p<0.03). Conclusions: Taken together, these findings indicate that performance development in young Mtb-Xco mountain bikers depends to a greater extent on physiological adaptations and specific morphological changes than on body composition estimates, providing key information for the formative stages and planning of sports training.