Investigating Anthropometric characteristics and Somatotypes in Elite Indian Track & Field Athletes
Published 13-08-2024
Keywords
- Anthropometry,
- Somatotype,
- Indian athletes,
- Track and field events
How to Cite
Copyright (c) 2024 Sahana Kamath, Ragini Adhikari, Bhanu Bawari, Judy Easow, Uma Kale, Fui Yen Wong, Samuel Andrew Pullinger
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Dimensions
Abstract
Introduction: The main aim of this study is to analyze the somatotype and body composition traits of elite-level male track and field competitors in India. Method: Thirty-eight male track and field athletes at the state and national level (Eleven jumpers, four middle-and long-distance runners, nineteen sprinters, and four throwers, took part in the study. Anthropometric measurements were performed for body mass, stature, 7 skinfold sites, 3 girths, and 2 breadths. Somatotypes, body fat %, fat mass and lean body mass for all subjects were also calculated. Results: The pairwise comparison analysis revealed significant differences in the endomorph component for throwers and athletes competing in sprint events (p = 0.000; 95% CI: -2.91 to -0.73), jump events (p = 0.000; 95% CI: -3.25 to -0.94), and middle- or long-distance events (p = 0.002; 95% CI: -3.46 to -0.67). The mesomorph component also revealed significant differences between throwers and athletes competing in sprint events (p = 0.035; 95% CI: -3.27 to -0.09), jump events (p = 0.013; 95% CI: -3.72 to -0.35), and middle- or long-distance events (p = 0.002; 95% CI: -5.00 to -0.92). Significant differences were found in the ectomorph component for jump and throw (p = 0.001; 95% CI: 0.72 to 3.31), for middle/long distance and sprint (p = 0.042; 95% CI: 0.04 to 2.48), for middle/long distance and throw (p = 0.000; 95% CI: 1.37 to 4.52), and for sprint and throw (p = 0.004; 95% CI: 0.46 to 2.91). Significant differences were found in the body fat percentage for jump and throw (p = 0.000; 95% CI: -7.50 to -1.96), for middle/long distance and throw (p = 0.004; 95% CI: -7.97 to -1.27), and for sprint and throw (p = 0.001; 95% CI: -6.86 to -1.64). Conclusion: Throwers were found to be more endomorphic mesomorphs, while middle-and long-distance runners were mesomorphic-ectomorphs, sprinters and jumpers were ectomophic-mesomorphs. Gaining a better understanding of the somatotypes of elite track and field athletes, helps to establish a benchmark for other Indian athletes in the sport, and help coaches improve their training methods.
References
- Abraham, G. (2010). Analysis of anthropometry, body composition and performance variables of young Indian athletes in southern region. Indian Journal of Science and technology, 3(12): 1210-1213. https://dx.doi.org/10.17485/ijst/2010/v3i12.3
- Adhikari, A., & Chakrabarti, D. (2022). Somatotype and anthropometric characteristics of Indian female rowers. International Journal of Kinanthropometry, 2(2): 65-69. https://doi.org/10.34256/ijk2227
- Anousaki, E., Stasinaki, A. N., Zaras, N., Terzis, G., Methenitis, S., Arnaoutis, G., & Karampatsos, G. (2018). Rate of force development, lean body mass and throwing performance in female shot-put athletes. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 18(3): 1699-1703.
- Armendáriz, M.L.P., Adhikari, R., Bhanu Bawari, B., Varamenti, E., Pullinger, S.A. (2023). Anthropometric characteristic, somatotype, and body composition of Indian Female Combat Sport Athletes: A comparison between Boxers, Judokas, and Wrestlers. International Journal of Kinanthropometry, 3(1): 109-117. https://doi.org/10.34256/ijk23112
- Ashwani, D., Dhingra, M., & Kandpal, G. (2019). Road map to Olympics 2024 & 2028 and intervening competitions: an insight to sports schemes for selection and development of potential athletes. International Journal of Yogic, Human Movement and Sports Sciences, 4(1): 384-389.
- Barbieri, D., Zaccagni, L., Babić, V., Rakovac, M., Mišigoj-Duraković, M., & Gualdi-Russo, E. (2017). Body composition and size in sprint athletes. The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness, 57(9): 1142-1146. https://doi.org/10.23736/S0022-4707.17.06925-0
- Bartlett, R.M., & Best, R.J. (1988). The biomechanics of javelin throwing: a review. Journal of sports sciences, 6(1): 1-38. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640418808729791
- Battinelli, T. (2000). Physique, Fitness and Performance. Body build and body build indices. In T. Battinelli CRC Press, Boca Raton.
- Bawari, B., Adhikari, R., Easow, J., & Pullinger, S. A. (2023). Somatotype and Body Composition of Indian Male and Female Swimmers, and their Relationship to Countermovement Jump Performance. International Journal of Kinanthropometry, 3(2): 84-95. https://doi.org/10.34256/ijk23210
- Bell, W., & Rhodes, G. (1975). The morphological characteristics of the association football player. British journal of sports medicine, 9(4): 196. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.9.4.196
- Carter, J. L., & Yuhasz, M. S. (1984). 8. Skinfolds and body composition of olympic athletes. In Physical structure of Olympic athletes, Karger Publishers, 18: 144-182. https://doi.org/10.1159/000409681
- Claessens, A.L., Hlatky, S., Lefevre, J., & Holdhaus, H. (1994). The role of anthropometric characteristics in modern pentathlon performance in female athletes. Journal of sports sciences, 12(4): 391-401. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640419408732186
- De Rose, E.H., & Biazus, L. (1978). Distance assessment in shot put based on lean body mass. In International Conference on Nutrition, Dietetics and Sport, 233-240.
- De, A.K., & Debnath, P. (1983). Somatotype of Indian long distance (74 km and 19 km) swimmers of both sexes. The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 23(3): 319-321.
- Eiin, W.J., Flyger, N., & Wilson, N. (2007). Somatotypes of Young Malaysian Track and Field Athletes. Asian Journal of Exercise & Sports Science, 4(1):
- Gutierrez, M., Soto, V. M., & Rojas, F. J. (2002). A biomechanical analysis of the individual techniques of the hammer throw finalists in the seville athletics world championship, 1999. New studies in Athletics, 17(2): 15-28.
- Hollings, S.C., & Robson, G.J. (1991). Body build and performance characteristics of male adolescent track and field athletes. The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 31(2): 178-182.
- Kavanashri, N. M., Cherian, K. S., Ghosh, S., & Yagnambhat, V. R. (2023). Anthropometry and Physical Characteristics of Indian Badminton Players. International Journal of Kinanthropometry, 3(2): 78-83. https://doi.org/10.34256/ijk2329
- Kyriazis, T., Terzis, G., Karampatsos, G., Kavouras, S., & Georgiadis, G. (2010). Body composition and performance in shot put athletes at preseason and at competition. International journal of sports physiology and performance, 5(3), 417-421. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.5.3.417
- Legaz, A., & Eston, R. (2005). Changes in performance, skinfold thicknesses, and fat patterning after three years of intense athletic conditioning in high level runners. British journal of sports medicine, 39(11): 851–856. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.2005.018960
- Mazumder, J. (2023). Anthropometric Measures of Elite Indian Archer: Identification of Features for Talent Development. International Journal of Kinanthropometry, 3(2): 26–35. https://doi.org/10.34256/ijk2324
- Nandakumar, T.R., & Sandhu, J.S. (2014). Factors influencing international sporting success-an analysis of Indian sports system. International Journal of Sport Management, Recreation & Tourism, 14: 13-31.
- O'Connor, H., Olds, T., & Maughan, R. J. (2007). Physique and performance for track and field events. Journal of sports sciences, 25(S1), S49-S60. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640410701607296
- Purnomo, E., Lumintuarso, R., Kasuga, N., & Suzuki, H. (2014, April). Comparasion of Body Composition and Somatotype Characteristics of Sprinter Athletes at Aue and Ysu. In International Seminar of Sport Culture and Achievement, 202.
- Ridder, H. D., Monyeki, D., Amusa, L., Toriola, A., Wekesa, M., & Carter, L. (2000). Kinanthropometry in African Sports: body composition and somatotype of world class male African middle-distance, long-distance and marathon runners. ISAK Publication, Adelaide, 37-52.
- Scheu, A., Preuß, H., & Könecke, T. (2019). The Legacy of the Olympic Games: A Review. Journal of Global Sport Management, 6(3): 212–233. https://doi.org/10.1080/24704067.2019.1566757
- Shafeeq, V.A., Abraham, G., Raphel, S. (2010). Evaluation of body composition and somatotype characteristics of male track and field athletes in India. Journal of Experimental Sciences, 1(11): 7–10.
- Singh, B.B., & Sharma, Y. (2019). A study on somatotype of top Indian male 100 m. sprinters. International Journal of Physiology, 4(1): 209-210.
- Singh, B.B., Dayal Yadav, D., & Singh Yadav, J. (2012). Comparative study of somatotypes of selected Indian elite male jumpers and throwers. International Journal of Physical Education, Sports and Yogic Sciences, 1(3): 1-5.
- Singh, K. (2017). Study of body composition and somatotyping among the throwers. International Journal of Physical Education, Sports and Health, 4(4): 221-225.
- Singh, K., Singh, P., & Singh, C. (2012). Anthropometric characteristics, body composition and somatotyping of high and low performer shot putters. International journal of sports science and engineering, 6(3): 153-8.
- Singh, S., Singh, K., & Singh, M. (2010). Anthropometric measurements, body composition and somatotyping of high jumpers. Brazilian Journal of Biomotricity, 4(4): 266-271.
- Singh, S., Singh, K., & Singh, M. (2011). Comparison of anthropometric characteristics and body types of high performer and low performer hammer throwers. Brazilian Journal of Biomotricity, 5(2): 80-86.
- Stachoń, A., Pietraszewska, J., & Burdukiewicz, A. (2023). Anthropometric profiles and body composition of male runners at different distances. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 18222. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-45064-9
- Terzis, G., Spengos, K., Kavouras, S., Manta, P., & Georgiadis, G. (2010). Muscle fibre type composition and body composition in hammer throwers. Journal of sports science & medicine, 9(1): 104.
- Thing, J., & Scheer, V. (2020). Track and field. Sports-related Fractures, Dislocations and Trauma: Advanced on-and Off-field Management, 955-958. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-36790-9_73
- Toriola, A. L., Adeniran, S.A., & Ogunremi, P.T. (1987). Body composition and anthropometric characteristics of elite male basketball and volleyball players. The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness, 27(2): 235-239.
- Tsukru, V., & Rhetso, A. (2023). Anthropometric Somatotype of Indian Combat Sports and Track and Field Athletes: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Kinanthropometry, 3(2): 56-68. https://doi.org/10.34256/ijk2327
- Weyand, P.G., & Davis, J.A. (2005). Running performance has a structural basis. Journal of Experimental Biology, 208(14): 2625-2631. https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.01609
- Zaras, N., Stasinaki, A.N., & Terzis, G. (2021). Biological determinants of track and field throwing performance. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, 6(2): 40. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk6020040