A comparison of anthropometric and training characteristics among recreational male ironman triathletes and ultra-endurance cyclists

"The physique of Ironman triathletes was considered to be similar to that of cyclists. We intended to investigate differences and similarities in anthropometry and training between 83 Ironman triathletes competing in a qualifier for 'Ironman Hawaii' and 84 ultra-endurance cyclists competing in a qualifier for the 'Race across America'. The anthropometric and training characteristics were compared between these two groups of athletes; associations of anthropometric and training characteristics with race time were investigated using bi- and multi-variate analysis. The Ironman triathletes had shorter legs, lower circumferences of upper arm, thigh and calf and a lower skeletal muscle mass compared to the ultra- cyclists. The Ironman triathletes invested more weekly training hours but fewer weekly cycling hours than the ultra-cyclists; the ultra-cyclists completed more cycling kilometres per week. In the multi- variate analysis, the skin-fold thicknesses at abdominal (P = 0.02) and iliacal site (P = 0.02) as well as percent body fat (P = 0.0008) were associated with race time for the Ironman triathletes. The abdominal (P = 0.003) and the iliacal (P = 0.02) skin-fold thicknesses, percent body fat (P = 0.001) and cycling speed during training (P = 0.01) were related to cycling split time in the Ironman race. For the ultra-cyclists, percent body fat (P = 0.04) was related to race time. We concluded that anthropometry and training of Ironman triathletes were different when compared to ultra-endurance cyclists."     

Five-class height-weight model for systematization of seventeen-year-old recruits' anthropometric data

An anthropometric study of 552 Tartu city and Tartu county recruits aged 17 years was carried out. Height and weight, 33 anthropometric measurements and 12 skinfolds were measured. Body fat percentage was assessed by Omron BF 300 hand-held segmental body fat analyzer. From anthropometric measurements bone mass was derived by the Drink-water et al. (1986) equation, and total skeletal muscle mass by the Lee et al. (2000) equation. The data were systematized into five height-weight SD-classes. There were 3 classes with harmony between height and weight class: 1--small (small height and small weight), 2--medium (medium height and medium weight), 3--large (large height and large weight), 4--weight class dominating (pyknomorphic) and 5--height class dominating (leptomorphic). It was revealed that in classes 1, 2 and 3 the height and weight increase corresponded to the increase in all heights, breadths and depths, circumferences, skinfolds, body fat, muscle and bone mass. In class 4 circumferences, skinfolds, body fat and muscle mass were bigger. In class 5 all heights and the relative bone mass were bigger. The present investigation confirms the hypothesis that the five height-weight class system is applicable to seventeen-year-old recruits.     

Systemic changes in body structure of 17–18-year-old schoolboys

The purpose of this study was to assess the systemic structural changes in the body build of 17-18-year-old schoolboys in the final years of Tartu secondary schools within a height-weight classification dividing anthropometric variables into 5 SD-classes. Weight and height, 9 length, 8 breadth and 2 depth measurements, 16 circumferences and 12 skinfolds were measured. From these 5 length measurements and 53 indices were computed, which characterise the ratios of various parts of the body to body height, to upper and lower limbs' length and body composition. The subjects (n = 253) were divided into five standard deviation classes according to height and weight (Kaarma 1981, 1995). In the first three classes height and weight were proportional: (1) small height--small weight, (2) medium height--medium weight and (3) big height--big weight. In the fourth and the fifth class height and weight were non-proportional. In the fourth class weight was preponderant over height, and in the fifth class height was preponderant over weight. It was proved that a statistical difference exists between the opposite classes--the fourth and the fifth class. It was also revealed that the three proportional classes differ from each other significantly. Increase in body height and weight leads also to an increase in length, breadth and depth measurements, bone thicknesses, circumferences and skinfolds. Rohrer index, body mass index, total percentage of fat by Siri, absolute and relative mass of fat tissue increased from the small to the large class. The relationship of the length, width, and depth measurements, circumferences and bone thicknesses to height remains almost unchanged throughout the proportional classes. These investigations support the position that the whole body model may be reconstructed from body height and weight.     

Relationships between legs bone mineral density, anthropometry and jumping height in prepubertal children

The aim of this study was to determine how the legs bone mineral density (BMD) is influenced by anthropometry and vertical jumping height in prepubertal children. In total, 64 8-11-year-old schoolchildren (27 boys and 37 girls) were studied. All children were at Tanner stage 1. The subjects' height and body mass were measured and BMI calculated. The following anthropometric parameters directly connected with leg were measured: skinfolds--front thigh and medial calf girths--gluteal, thigh, mid-thigh, calf and ankle; lengths--iliospinale height, trochanterion height, trochanteriontibiale laterale, tibiale-laterale height and tibiale mediale-spyrion tibiale; and breadths--biiliocristal, foot length and biepicondylar femur. Total body and legs fat mass and fat %, lean body mass (LBM) and both legs BMD were measured by DXA. Maximal jumping height was measured on the contact mat. Stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that body height in boys (54.6%; R2 x 100) and body mass in girls (57.3%) were the most important basic anthropometric parameters that influenced BMD in legs. From the measured skinfolds, that of the front thigh characterized legs BMD by 24.9-35.6%. From the girths, the most important parameter to characterize legs BMD was that of calf (50.0-59.1%). Tibiale laterale height was the only length parameter which was highly related with legs BMD (51.1-54.5%). Biepicondylar femur was the most important breadth parameter which characterized legs BMD (51.0-54.8%). Femur breadth and tibiale-laterale height were selected (68.7%) in boys, and tibiale-laterale height and front thigh skinfold thickness (66.0%) in girls when all measured leg anthropometric parameters were analyzed together. From the body composition parameters, the most important parameter to characterize legs BMD was legs LBM (48.9-59.5%). Jumping height did not correlate with legs BMD in any studied groups. In summary, the present study demonstrated that legs LBM together with tibiale-laterale height are the main predictors of legs BMD in prepubertal children.     

Personal best marathon time and longest training run, not anthropometry, predict performance in recreational 24-hour ultrarunners

In recent studies, a relationship between both low body fat and low thicknesses of selected skinfolds has been demonstrated for running performance of distances from 100 m to the marathon but not in ultramarathon. We investigated the association of anthropometric and training characteristics with race performance in 63 male recreational ultrarunners in a 24-hour run using bi and multivariate analysis. The athletes achieved an average distance of 146.1 (43.1) km. In the bivariate analysis, body mass (r = -0.25), the sum of 9 skinfolds (r = -0.32), the sum of upper body skinfolds (r = -0.34), body fat percentage (r = -0.32), weekly kilometers ran (r = 0.31), longest training session before the 24-hour run (r = 0.56), and personal best marathon time (r = -0.58) were related to race performance. Stepwise multiple regression showed that both the longest training session before the 24-hour run (p = 0.0013) and the personal best marathon time (p = 0.0015) had the best correlation with race performance. Performance in these 24-hour runners may be predicted (r2 = 0.46) by the following equation: Performance in a 24-hour run, km) = 234.7 + 0.481 (longest training session before the 24-hour run, km) - 0.594 (personal best marathon time, minutes). For practical applications, training variables such as volume and intensity were associated with performance but not anthropometric variables. To achieve maximum kilometers in a 24-hour run, recreational ultrarunners should have a personal best marathon time of ～3 hours 20 minutes and complete a long training run of ～60 km before the race, whereas anthropometric characteristics such as low body fat or low skinfold thicknesses showed no association with performance.     

Higher prevalence of exercise-associated hyponatremia in triple iron ultra-triathletes than reported for ironman triathletes

"In a recent study of male and female ultra-marathoners in a 161-km ultra-marathon, the prevalence of exercise-associated hyponatremia (EAH) was higher than reported for marathoners. Regarding triathletes, the prevalence of EAH has been investigated in Ironman triathletes, but not in Triple Iron ultra-triathletes. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of EAH in male ultra-triathletes competing in a Triple Iron ultra-triathlon over 11.4 km swimming, 540 km cycling, and 126.6 km running. Changes in body mass, fat mass, skeletal muscle mass, total body water, haematocrit, plasma volume, plasma sodium concentration ([Na ? ]) and urine specific gravity were determined in 31 male athletes with (means ± standard deviation) 42.1 ± 8.1 years of age, 77.0 ± 7.0 kg body mass, 1.78 ± 0.06 m body height and a BMI of 24.3 ± 1.7 kg/m2 in the 'Triple Iron Triathlon Germany'. Of the 31 finishers, eight athletes (26%) developed asymptomatic EAH. Body mass, fat mass, skeletal muscle mass, and haematocrit decreased, plasma volume increased ( P < 0.05), plasma [Na ?], total body water and urine specific gravity remained stable. The decrease in body mass was related to both the decrease in fat mass and skeletal muscle mass ( P < 0.05), but was not related to overall race time, the change in plasma [Na ? ], post-race plasma [Na ? ], or urine specific gravity. The prevalence of EAH was higher in these Triple Iron ultra-triathletes compared to existing reports on Ironman triathletes. Body fluid homeostasis remained stable in these ultra-triathletes although body mass decreased."     

Body build classification for ordinary schoolgirls (aged 7-18 years) and volleyball girls (aged 13-16 years)

The article describes two Estonian anthropometric cross-sectional studies of 1549 ordinary schoolgirls (aged 7-18) and 46 girls, who regularly practised volleyball (aged 13-16). Data are presented on 22 basic anthropometric measurements and 6 body composition characteristics (body mass index, mean skinfold, body density, relative mass of fat by Siri, absolute mass and relative mass of subcutaneous adipose tissue). All anthropometric variables were classified into five height-weight SD classes. Schoolgirls were divided into six age groups (7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16, 17-18). Volleyballers were observed as one group as their age in SD classes did not differ significantly. The classification consisted of five categories: three height-weight concordant categories: I--small (small height, small weight), II--medium (medium height, medium weight), III large--(big height, big weight) and two height/weight discordant categories: IV--so-called pyknomorphs, V--so-called leptomorphs. To assess the differences between classes the Scheffé-test was used (alpha = 0.05). It proved likewise possible to comparatively systematize length, breadth and depth measurements, circumferences and body composition characteristics in all six age groups (7-18 years) of ordinary schoolgirls and in 13-16-year-old volleyballers as in their case the average age did not differ significantly between the classes.     

Short and plump physique of Mexican-American children

Mexican-American children are shorter but relatively heavier than non-Hispanic whites and blacks. The objectives of this paper are to assess the extent to which this "short and plump" physique occurs in data collected in two national surveys (HANES I and II); to determine variations by age, sex, and socioeconomic status; and to investigate the anthropometric characteristics that may account for the overweight. Three groups, defined on the basis of reported ancestry and observed race, are studied: Mexican-Americans (MEXAME), non-Hispanic Whites, (EURAME), and blacks (BLACK). Short stature was clearly associated with the poverty index (PI) in all three groups. MEXAMEs with a PI greater than 1.6 were similar in stature to EURAMEs at the same income level at ages 1-11 years but not at 12-17 years. On the other hand, MEXAMEs were shorter than BLACKs at all ages and income levels. The body mass index (kg/cm2) and poverty were unrelated. With respect to the anthropometric characteristics examined that are related to the body mass index, MEXAMEs and EURAMEs were similar in sitting height as a proportion of total height, arm muscle and fat areas, and triceps skinfold but different in the following ways: MEXAMEs had narrower elbow but broader bitrochanteric breadths and larger chest circumferences and subscapular skinfolds. Greater upper body dimensions and fatfolds seem to best describe the physique of MEXAMEs. However, in multiple regressions, these anthropometric characteristics failed to account fully for the greater relative weight of MEXAMEs as compared to EURAMEs.     

Energy cost of front-crawl swimming in women

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the energy cost of swimming per unit distance (Cs) at different velocities (v) and performance level, body size and swimming technique in women. A total of 58 females swimmers were studied. Three performance levels (A, B, C) were determined, ranging from the slower (A) to the faster (B, C). At level C and at 1.1 m.s-1, Cs,1.1 was reduced by 7% when directly compared to level B. The Cs,1.1 was reduced by 10% when calculated per unit of height (h) and by 37% when calculated per unit of h and hydrostatic lift (HL). For the whole group of swimmers, the equation regression was Cs,1.1 = 0.27 h-2.38 HL - 7.5 (r = 0.53, P less than 0.01). To evaluate the specific influence of arm length two groups of long- and short-armed swimmers were selected among swimmers of similar h and performance. The Cs was significantly higher (P less than 0.05) by 12%, SD 2.2%, for short-armed than for long-armed swimmers. To evaluate the influence of different types of swimming technique, two other groups of similar performance and anthropometric characteristics were selected. The Cs was significantly higher (P less than 0.05) by 12%, SD 4.5% for swimmers using for preference their legs rather than their arms. The Cs of the sprinters was 15.7%, SD 2% higher than that of the long-distance swimmers. For all groups, Cs increased with v on average by 8% to 11% every 0.1 m.s-1. These findings showed that Cs variations of these women were close to those previously demonstrated for men. The Cs depends on performance level, body size, buoyancy, swimming technique and v.     

Reference Values for Body Composition and Anthropometric Measurements in Athletes

Background

Despite the importance of body composition in athletes, reference sex- and sport-specific body composition data are lacking. We aim to develop reference values for body composition and anthropometric measurements in athletes.

Methods

Body weight and height were measured in 898 athletes (264 female, 634 male), anthropometric variables were assessed in 798 athletes (240 female and 558 male), and in 481 athletes (142 female and 339 male) with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). A total of 21 different sports were represented. Reference percentiles (5^th, 25^th, 50^th, 75^th, and 95^th) were calculated for each measured value, stratified by sex and sport. Because sample sizes within a sport were often very low for some outcomes, the percentiles were estimated using a parametric, empirical Bayesian framework that allowed sharing information across sports.

Results

We derived sex- and sport-specific reference percentiles for the following DXA outcomes: total (whole body scan) and regional (subtotal, trunk, and appendicular) bone mineral content, bone mineral density, absolute and percentage fat mass, fat-free mass, and lean soft tissue. Additionally, we derived reference percentiles for height-normalized indexes by dividing fat mass, fat-free mass, and appendicular lean soft tissue by height squared. We also derived sex- and sport-specific reference percentiles for the following anthropometry outcomes: weight, height, body mass index, sum of skinfold thicknesses (7 skinfolds, appendicular skinfolds, trunk skinfolds, arm skinfolds, and leg skinfolds), circumferences (hip, arm, midthigh, calf, and abdominal circumferences), and muscle circumferences (arm, thigh, and calf muscle circumferences).

Conclusions

These reference percentiles will be a helpful tool for sports professionals, in both clinical and field settings, for body composition assessment in athletes.     

Finishers and nonfinishers in the 'Swiss Cycling Marathon ' to qualify for the 'Race Across America '

Knechtle, B, Knechtle, P, Rüst, CA, Rosemann, T, and Lepers, R. Finishers and nonfinishers in the 'Swiss Cycling Marathon' to qualify for the 'Race across America.' J Strength Cond Res 25(12): 3257-3263, 2011-We compared the characteristics of prerace anthropometry, previous experience, and training and support during the race in 39 finishers and 37 nonfinishers in the 'Swiss Cycling Marathon,' over 720 km. In this race, the cyclists intended to qualify for the 'Race across America,' the longest nonstop cycling race in the World from the West to the East of the USA. Finishers in the 'Swiss Cycling Marathon' had a lower body mass, a lower body mass index, lower circumferences of upper arm and thigh, a lower percent body fat, completed more weekly training units, covered more kilometers in the longest training ride, rode at a faster speed during training, rode more kilometers per week and for more hours, had more previous finishes in the 'Swiss Cycling Marathon' and a lighter race bike compared to the nonfinishers. In the bivariate analysis, the cycling distance per training unit (r = 0.37), the duration per training unit (r = 0.44), the speed per training unit (r = -0.59), using nutrition provided by the organizer (r = 0.50), and using own nutrition (r = 0.49) during the race were significantly and positively associated with race time. For practical applications, anthropometric characteristics such as a low body mass or low body fat were not related to race time, whereas training characteristics and nutrition during the race were associated with race time. The key to a successful finish in an ultraendurance cycling race such as the 'Swiss Cycling Marathon' seems a high speed in training and an appropriate nutrition during the race.     

Are adult physiques geometrically similar? The dangers of allometric scaling using body mass power laws

Human physique classification by somatotype assumes that adult humans are geometric similar to each other. However, this assumption has yet to be adequately tested in athletic and nonexercising human populations. In this study, we assessed this assumption by comparing the mass exponents associated with girth measurements taken at 13 different sites throughout the body in 478 subjects (279 athletic subjects, and 199 nonexercising controls). Corrected girths which account for subcutaneous adipose tissue at the upper arm, thigh, and calf sites, and which simulate muscle circumference, were also calculated. If subjects are geometrically similar to each other, girth exponents should be approximately proportional to M(1/3), where M is the subjects' body mass. This study confirms that human adult physiques are not geometrically similar to each other. In both athletic subjects and nonexercising controls, body circumferences/limb girths develop at a greater rate than that anticipated by geometric similarity in fleshy sites containing both muscle and fat (upper arms and legs), and less than anticipated in bony sites (head, wrists, and ankles). Interestingly, head girths appear to remain almost constant, irrespective of subjects' body size/mass. The results also suggest that thigh muscle girths of athletes and controls increase at a greater rate than that predicted by geometric similarity, proportional to body mass (M(0.439) and M(0.377), respectively). These systematic deviations from geometric similarity have serious implications for the allometric scaling of variables such as energy expenditure, oxygen uptake, anaerobic power, and thermodynamic or anthropometric studies involving individuals of differing size.     

Anthropometric dimensions do not enhance one repetition maximum prediction from the NFL-225 test in college football players

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the contribution of anthropometric dimensions to improving the accuracy of repetitions-to-fatigue (RTF) using an absolute load of 225 lbs to predict 1 repetition maximum (1RM) bench press performance in college football players. Sixty-one players from an NCAA Division II team were evaluated for 1RM bench press performance, RTF using an absolute load of 225 lbs, and measured (5 skinfolds, 2 skeletal length, and 2 muscle circumferences). Anthropometric dimensions (percent fat, lean body mass, and arm cross-sectional areas) were derived at the conclusion of 8 weeks of heavy resistance training during the off-season. None of the anthropometric dimensions made a significant additional contribution to RTF (r = 0.96, SEE = 12.3 lbs) for predicting 1RM. Of the currently available NFL-225 prediction equations found in the literature nonsignificantly underestimated 1RM from RTF by an average of 1.1 lbs (+/-12.7 lbs), whereas 5 other RTF equations significantly overpredicted by 3.5-9.0 lbs (+/-12.2-14.1 lbs). Anthropometric dimensions neither reduced the error associated with prediction of 1RM bench press using the NFL-225 test in college football players nor do they explain why some players are significantly over- or underpredicted when using muscle endurance repetitions.     

Anthropometric and strength variables to predict freestyle performance times in elite master swimmers

The aims of this study were to determine in elite master swimmers of both genders whether, using anthropometric variables and the hand grip strength measure, it was possible to predict freestyle performance time, whether the considered predictors were related similarly to different events (50, 100, 200, 400, 800 m), and whether they were the same in male and female master swimmers. The relationships between performance times and age, body mass, height, arm length, forearm length, forearm muscle volume, and hand grip strength were examined in 135 elite master swimmers. Pearson's simple correlation coefficients were calculated and then prediction equations were developed. Age, height, and hand grip strength were the best predictors in short-distance events, whereas only age and height were predictors in middle- and long-distance events. The corresponding coefficient of determination (R) of performance times were 0.84 in the 50-m event, 0.73 in the 100-m event, 0.75 in the 200-m event, 0.66 in the 400-m event, and 0.63 in the 800-m event. These regression equations were then cross-validated in a control group of 126 nonelite, age-matched swimmers, obtaining significant and good correlations for all distances (range, r = 0.67 and 0.83; p < 0.01), indicating that predictors are valid in an extended sample of master swimmers. Differences between sexes were not found in 50-m event, but were present in all other events. These models might be useful to determine individual performance times by contributing to improving the individual's training program and the selection of master swimmers. Coaches could have better accuracy in determining whether an athlete needs a strength training program in order to optimize performance time.     

Regional body composition changes in women after 6 months of periodized physical training.

Data are lacking regarding regional morphological changes among women after prolonged physical training. This study employed dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry to assess changes in whole body and regional (i.e., trunk, legs, arms) fat mass, lean mass, and bone mineral content body composition adaptations in 31 healthy women pre-, mid-, and post-6 mo of periodized physical training. These results were compared with those of 1) a control group of women who had not undergone the training program and were assessed pre- and post-6 mo and 2) a group of 18 men that was tested only once. Additionally, magnetic resonance imaging was used to assess changes in muscle morphology of the thigh in a subset of 11 members of the training group. Physical training consisted of a combination of aerobic and resistance exercise in which the subjects engaged for 5 days/wk for 24 wk. Overall, the training group experienced a 2.2% decrease, a 10% decrease, and a 2.2% increase for body mass, fat mass, and soft tissue lean mass, respectively. No changes in bone mineral content were detected. The women had less of their soft tissue lean mass distributed in their arms than did the men, both before and after the women were trained. Novel to this study were the striking differences in the responses in the tissue composition of the arms (31% loss in fat mass but no change in lean mass) compared with the legs (5.5% gain in lean mass but no change in fat mass). There was a 12% fat loss in the trunk with no change in soft tissue lean mass. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and magnetic resonance imaging fat mass measurements showed good agreement (r = 0. 72-0.92); their lean mass measurements were similar as well, showing approximately 5.5% increases in leg lean tissue. These findings show the importance of considering regional body composition changes, rather than whole body changes alone when assessing the effects of a periodized physical training program.     

Sexual dimorphism in growth from 8 to 18 years

A mixed longitudinal study of growth and development has been conducted, centering on an analysis of differences based on sex between the ages of 8 and 18 years for a series of 12 anthropometric indicators. The sample consisted of 50 girls and 63 boys. Proceeding from the specific differences, the variables can be divided into four groups with identical structures of differences. The first group comprises measurements of body height, body mass, shoulder width and pelvic span, all of which have higher values in boys between 8 and 10 and between 14 and 18. Between the ages of 11 and 13 girls are taller, heavier, with broader shoulders and pelvises. The second group covers measurements of subcutaneous fat. which are higher for girls throughout the period under review. The third group of indicators comprises the diameters of the joints of the extremities, i.e. of elbows and knees. Throughout the period under observation, these measurements are higher in boys, with the absolute differences between the sexes being the same at the age of 8 and ten years later. The fourth group consists of circumferences measurements of the extremities. It was found that calf circumferences manifested a specific inversion of the curves between 14 and 15, with girls showing a larger calf circumference up to the age of 14, and boys from the age of 15. The effect of earlier onset of puberty in girls was found to be reflected only on the inversion of the curve flow of the variables from the first group.     

Gender differences in regional body composition and somatotrophic influences of IGF-I and leptin.

This study evaluated the arm, trunk, and leg for fat mass, lean soft tissue mass, and bone mineral content (BMC) assessed via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in a group of age-matched (approximately 29 yr) men (n = 57) and women (n = 63) and determined their relationship to insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and leptin. After analysis of covariance adjustment to control for differences in body mass between genders, the differences that persisted (P < or = 0.05) were for lean soft tissue mass of the arm (men: 7.1 kg vs. women: 6.4 kg) and fat mass of the leg (men: 5.3 kg vs. women: 6.8 kg). Men and women had similar (P > or = 0.05) values for fat mass of the arms and trunk and lean soft tissue mass of the legs and trunk. Serum IGF-I and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 correlated (P < or = 0.05) with all measures of BMC (r values ranged from 0.31 to 0.39) and some measures of lean soft tissue mass for women (r = 0.30) but not men. Leptin correlated (P < or = 0.05) similarly for measures of fat mass for both genders (r values ranging from 0.74 to 0.85) and for lean soft tissue mass of the trunk (r = 0.40) and total body (r = 0.32) for men and for the arms in women (r = 0.56). These data demonstrate that 1) the main phenotypic gender differences in body composition are that men have more of their muscle mass in their arms and women have more of their fat mass in their legs and 2) gender differences exist in the relationship between somatotrophic hormones and lean soft tissue mass.     

Anthropometric characteristics of highly qualified female gymnasts

Quality of exercises performed by 16-year-old gymnast-girls of high qualification using 106 various anthropometric profiles has been stated experimentally. The data obtained have been subjected to statistic, correlative and factor analysis. As demonstrares analysis of 190 correlation coefficients between the anthropometric parameters (AP) of the gymnast-girls, 72 coefficients have meanings of a strong interconnections, 104--of middle and 14--of poor interconnections. The direction of the interconnections is positive. Factorization of matrix of the gymnast-girls AP makes it possible to distinguish three factors; their summational contribution into the total variance sample makes 79.1%. Exercises of a certain technical structure, at other similar conditions, are performed by the gymnast-girls possessing a peculiar anthropometric profile. Besides, the gymnast-girls, demonstrating at various levels similar technical results, are like in their anthropometric profile. For example, when performing the same qualified exercise, in the first group are included the gymnast-girls with the mark 9.93 from 10. AP of these gymnast-girls are: body mass 43 kg, body length 155 cm, length of their arms up to the styloid radial point 50 cm, length of the legs up to the lower tibial point 75 cm. With increase of the four AP mentioned, tendency to decreasing mark in the quality of the exercise performance is noted. Comparison of the gymnast-girls AP with the AP earlier established makes it possible, to some extent, to prognosticate sporting improvement.     

Anthropometric and strength correlates of fast bowling speed in junior and senior cricketers

The aim of this study was to characterize relationships between anthropometric and isoinertial strength characteristics and bowling speed in junior and senior cricket fast bowlers. Subjects were first-class senior (n = 24; mean +/- SD age = 23.9 +/- 4.8 years, height = 187.4 +/- 4.8 cm, mass = 87.8 +/- 8.4 kg) and junior representative (n = 48; mean +/- SD age = 14.8 +/- 1.3 years, height = 175.7 +/- 9.8 cm, mass = 65.8 +/- 12.9 kg) male fast bowlers. A full anthropometric profile, upper- and lower-body isoinertial strength tests, and peak bowling speed (Vpeak) were assessed on the same day. The senior bowlers had a substantially faster Vpeak (126.7 km.h(-1)) than the juniors (99.6 km.h(-1)), a larger estimated muscle mass (seniors 40.0 +/- 3.9 kg, juniors 28.3 +/- 5.6 kg), and a greater bench press throw and deltoid throw (all p < 0.01). The best multiple predictors of Vpeak for the junior bowlers were the static jump, bench throw, body mass, percentage muscle mass, and height (multiple-correlation r = 0.86). For the senior bowlers, static jump and arm length correlated positively with Vpeak (multiple-correlation r = 0.74). The 1-legged countermovement jump was negatively correlated with Vpeak in both groups. We conclude that differences in Vpeak between junior and senior bowlers relate primarily to body mass and upper-body strength. However, lower body strength is a more important contributor to Vpeak in senior bowlers.