Anthropometric Characteristics, Body Composition and Somatotype of Elite Male Young Runners.

Cristóbal Sánchez Muñoz,Mikel Zabala,Óscar López Belmonte,José J Muros

doi:10.3390/ijerph17020674

Cristóbal Sánchez Muñoz, Mikel Zabala + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17020674

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Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to describe the anthropometric characteristics, body composition and somatotype of elite male young runners (EYR), and to compare these variables according to the specialty in which they engaged (middle-distance vs. long-distance). This will enable an anthropometric profile chart to be established for them. Ninety EYR aged 17 to 23 years (18.4 ± 2.0) participated in the study. Athletes were divided into two groups according to the event in which they participated: middle-distance runners (MDR, n = 56) and long-distance runners (LDR, n = 34). Sixteen anthropometric variables were recorded for each participant: Weight, height, eight skinfolds, four girths, and two breadths. Body mass index (BMI), body composition and somatotype were calculated. Comparing MDR with the group of LDR, significant differences were found to exist for height, weight, relaxed upper arm girth, flexed and tensed upper arm girth, total upper arm area, upper arm muscle area, and thigh muscle area. No significant differences were observed in the other variables. MDR are taller, heavier and have larger girths than LDR. Coaches and sports scientists can use the data obtained to better control training, as well as for talent identification and athlete selection.

Highlights

In the last few years, issues that influence optimal performance in running events have received considerable attention in the scientific literature
Variables which have been associated with running performance include physical characteristics, maximal aerobic power (VO2max ) [1,2,3,4,5], body composition [5,6,7], thigh-length [6], lactate threshold [8], the energy cost of running [9,10,11,12], running economy [10,13,14] and stride length [15,16]
To our knowledge, only two studies [18,21] have described these aspects in young elite male runners (EYR), and few studies have reported data for both individual and the sum of skinfold values amongst runners [18,22,23,24]

Summary

Introduction

In the last few years, issues that influence optimal performance in running events have received considerable attention in the scientific literature. Variables which have been associated with running performance include physical characteristics, maximal aerobic power (VO2max ) [1,2,3,4,5], body composition [5,6,7], thigh-length [6], lactate threshold [8], the energy cost of running [9,10,11,12], running economy [10,13,14] and stride length [15,16]. Many studies have shown the anthropometric characteristics, somatotype and body composition of elite male adult runners [19,20]. Arrese and Ostáriz [26] reported lower limb skinfold thicknesses in males to be directly related to running time over 1500 m and 10,000 m. With regard to body composition, Brandon and Boileau [27] have reported that a larger fat-free mass enables runners to be more efficient

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