The Relationship Among Somatotype Structures, Leg Volume, Leg Mass, Anaerobic Strength and Flexibility of Elite Male Athletes in Different Branches

İrfan Marangoz,Dede Baştürk

doi:10.11114/jets.v6i7.3308

İrfan Marangoz, Dede Baştürk

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.11114/jets.v6i7.3308

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Abstract

This study aims to analyze the relationship among somatotype structures, leg volume, leg mass, anaerobic strength and flexibility of elite male athletes in different branches. 90 male athletes who study at School of Physical Education and Sport at University of Kırşehir Ahi Evran and are active in wrestling (n=15), gymnastics (15), football (15), handball (15), volleyball (15) and basketball (n=15) voluntarily participated in this study. Somatotype structures, leg volumes and leg masses of the participants were determined using Heath-Carter, Frustum and Hanavan methods, respectively. Vertical jump test was used to measure anaerobic performance, while sit-and-reach test was used for flexibility performance. Spearman correlation analysis was performed using SPSS 22.0 package program for Windows, and the level of significance was taken as 0.05. As a result, a significant correlation was found between leg volume and mass and anaerobic performance values in football, volleyball, basketball, handball, wrestling and gymnastics, which indicates a decisive role in anaerobic performance. It was observed that athletes with a higher amount of leg volume and mass display a better anaerobic performance. The width of femur circumference and a high amount of muscle mass and fiber in the femur lead to a higher strength in muscles and maximizes the strength.

Highlights

In addition to the physical structure, a combination of performance indicators such as speed, strength, endurance, agility, and flexibility positively influence an athlete’s performance
Physical suitability is of vital importance in a sport branch in order to reach a satisfactory performance (Marangoz, & Polat, 2017)
Various studies underline the effect of age, gender, muscle type, muscle mass and cross section, hereditary traits, training and body composition on anaerobic performance (Bencke, Damsgaard, Saekmose, Jorgenson, Jorgenson, & Klauen, 2002; Mayhew, Hancook, Rollisan, Ball, & Bowen, 2001)

Summary

Introduction

In addition to the physical structure, a combination of performance indicators such as speed, strength, endurance, agility, and flexibility positively influence an athlete’s performance. Physical properties heavily affect the performance because physiological capacity depends on them. Physical suitability is of vital importance in a sport branch in order to reach a satisfactory performance (Marangoz, & Polat, 2017). The explosive form of a movement is considered as an important performance indicator. Muscle fibril length, leg volume and muscle mass play an important role in muscle strength in anaerobic sport branches (Armstrong, Welsman, & Chia, 2001). An athlete needs a higher amount of muscle mass, muscle cross section, leg volume and mass for a better anaerobic performance (Staron, Hagerman, Hikida, Murray, Hostler, Crill, & Toma, 2000), which directly affect muscle strength

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