Biacromial Breadth Research Articles

Skeletal frame-size variations in adolescent female Nigerian school children in Lagos

Introduction: Limited information is available about the skeletal frame size of urban-dwelling adolescent female West African children. Aim and Objective: This study assessed variations in skeletal frame-size as estimated from the truncal breadths of adolescent female Nigerian children from two different socioeconomic backgrounds in Lagos. Materials and Methods: Anthropometric measurements of biacromial, bi-iliocristal, bitrochanteric, and chest breadths were taken from 320 adolescent female school children aged 10-17 years selected from public and private schools in Lagos using a systematic random method. The socioeconomic status (SES) of the subjects was classified on the basis of attendance at either fee-paying private or non-fee-paying public schools. Results: The range of skeletal breadth measurements were as follows: Biacromial breadth 32.24 ± 2.01 cm to 34.23 ± 1.35 cm; bi-iliocristal breadth 22.46 ± 1.07 cm to 23.75 ± 1.47 cm; bitrochanteric breadth 24.47 ± 2.22 cm to 28.29 ± 2.10 cm; and chest breadth 18.43 ± 2.14 cm to 19.71 ± 0.75 cm. Statistically significant differences were observed in the mean biacromial, bi-iliocristal, bitrochanteric, and chest breadths between age-matched private school girls (PRG) and public school girls (PUG). Conclusion: The observed variations in skeletal frame size among female adolescents may reflect a complex interaction between lifestyle and biological variables existing in this population, suggesting a morphologic uniqueness among the adolescent females of Lagos that calls for further systematic investigation.

Anthropometric evaluation of growth variation in urban dwelling female adolescent school children

Introduction: Growth studies among children are important in health planning and policy making, as it has been observed that the interaction between environmental and genetic constitution is manifested in physical growth. The aim of this work was to investigate the variation in growth patterns of adolescent girls from different socioeconomic status attending schools (a private and public schools) in urban Lagos, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study was undertaken on 320 adolescent female schoolchildren in Lagos, Nigeria. Six anthropometric measurements, such as weight, stature, sitting height, waist circumference, biacromial breadth, and biceps skinfold were taken into consideration observing ISAK protocol for measurement. Results: The results revealed that the private school girls had consistently higher values than the public school girls. Conclusion: This indicates that a consistent variation pattern in growth exists among the girls studied. Therefore there is need for adequate health monitoring during adolescence.

Physical growth and nutritional status of Car Nicobarese and Moplah children of Andaman–Nicobar Islands in India

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to assess growth and nutritional status of Car Nicobarese children and compare it with Moplah children, who live in a similar environment. A total of 436 Car Nicobarese children and 438 Moplah children, aged 6–10 years, were selected for the study. The anthropometric measurements included stature, body weight, sitting height, bi-acromial breadth, bi-iliac breadth, mid-upper arm circumference, skinfold thickness of biceps, triceps and subscapular region. 50th percentile (median) growth curves were calculated among the studied children and compared with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2000 reference. Z scores of weight for age (WAZ), height for age (HAZ) and BMI for age (BMIZ) were computed using growth references of the CDC 2000.It was observed that the Car Nicobarese children were shorter but heavier than Moplah children of both sexes all through the age range, which was also reflected in median value of anthropometric variables. Car Nicobarese children were nutritionally better compared to Moplah children based on the nutritional indices. The major differences between Car Nicobarese and Moplah children were found in their arm muscularity rather than arm adiposity. Overall, Car Nicobarese children were nutritionally in normal and better condition than Moplah children. However, present dietary change (intake of high calories and fat diet) of Car Nicobarese population may be reflected in the form of childhood obesity in the recent future, which has already been observed in their adult population.

Determination of individual's height by post-cranial measurements in Rewa region of Madhya Pradesh

Background: Stature estimation of an individual is an important in anthropological research. The identification of isolated extremities is an issue of great significance and plays a vital role in the investigation of the identity of victims of mass disasters and fatal assaults. Aims & Objectives: To determine individual’s height by post-cranial measurements in Rewa region of Madhya Pradesh. Materials and Methods: Present study is carried out in the Shyam Shah Medical College and S.G. Hospital, at Rewa city of Madhyapradesh. For this study, total 313 subjects were selected randomly which includes 194 males and 119 females, age between 22 to 27 years. Stature, shoulder breadth or biacromial breadth (a-a) Inter anterior superior iliac spine distance. (Inter asis distance) were measured using standard anthropometric instruments. Statistical analysis is done by using test of significance. Correlation, correlation co-efficient and regression equations for estimation of height is derived for males and females separately. Results: Results shows that individual’s height is extremely significantly correlated with biacromion breadth and very significantly correlated with inter anterior superior iliac spine distance. Conclusion: It is clear that if either of the measurement is known the other can be calculated and this fact may be of practical use in Medico-legal investigations and in Anthropometry.

Análise discriminante da maturação puberal de jovens do sexo masculino, a partir das características antropométricas

The relationship between anthropometric variables and maturation stages is important for a more detailed monitoring of pubertal development and may provide a suitable tool for clinical diagnosis. The aim of this study was to analyze the predictive contribution of anthropometric variables to pubertal maturation using multivariate discri-minant analysis. A total of 190 boys aged 8 to 18 years, from public and private schools in Natal, Brazil, participated in the study. Thirty-two anthropometric variables were measured and pubertal maturation was evaluated objectively by observing pubic hair development. Measures of central tendency and dispersion, inferential analysis of variance, and multi-variate discriminant analysis were used for statistical analysis. Pubertal advancement was accompanied by significant changes in anthropometric variables (p<0.05). Discriminant analysis identified eight variables with a high predictive capacity of pubertal maturation: age, sitting height, biacromial breadth, acromiale-radiale, trochanterion-tibiale laterale and tibiale laterale bone lengths, and abdominal and forearm girths. The anthropometric variables showed a high correlation with the classification of pubertal maturation, dem-onstrating a high predictive level among them. These findings indicate the possibility of developing a predictive equation for pubertal stages.

Effect of Grip Width on Electromyographic Activity During the Upright Row

The upright row (URR) is commonly used to develop the deltoid and upper back musculature. However, little information exists concerning muscle recruitment during variations of this exercise. Sixteen weight-trained men completed 2 repetitions each in the URR with 3 grip conditions: 50, 100, and 200% of the biacromial breadth (BAB). The load was the same for all grip conditions and was equal to 85% of the 1RM determined at 100% BAB. Repeated measures analyses of variance were used to compare the maximal activity of the anterior deltoid (AD), lateral deltoid (LD), posterior deltoid (PD), upper trapezius (UT), middle trapezius (MT), and biceps brachii (BB) during the 3 grip widths for eccentric and concentric actions. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were noted in concentric muscle activity for LD (p < 0.001) and PD (p < 0.001), and in eccentric muscle activity for AD (p = 0.023), LD (p < 0.001), UT (p < 0.001), MT (p < 0.001), and BB (p = 0.003). Bonferroni post hoc analysis revealed significant pairwise differences in the concentric actions from the LD (50% vs. 200% BAB and 100% vs. 200% BAB) and PD (50% vs. 200% BAB and 100% vs. 200% BAB), and eccentric actions of the LD (all comparisons), UT (all comparisons), MT (50% vs. 200% BAB and 100% vs. 200% BAB), and BB (50% vs. 200% BAB), with large-to-very-large effect sizes (ESs). Moderate-to-large ESs were noted for several nonsignificant comparisons. The main findings of this investigation are increased deltoid and trapezius activity with increasing grip width, and correspondingly less BB activity. Therefore, those who seek to maximize involvement of the deltoid and trapezius muscles during the URR should use a wide grip.

Anthropometry as a Predictor of Bench Press Performance Done at Different Loads

The purpose of our study was to examine the ability of anthropometric variables (body mass, total arm length, biacromial width) to predict bench press performance at both maximal and submaximal loads. Our methods required 36 men to visit our laboratory and submit to anthropometric measurements, followed by lifting as much weight as possible in good form one time (1 repetition maximum, 1RM) in the exercise. They made 3 more visits in which they performed 4 sets of bench presses to volitional failure at 1 of 3 (40, 55, or 75% 1RM) submaximal loads. An accelerometer (Myotest Inc., Royal Oak MI) measured peak force, velocity, and power after each submaximal load set. With stepwise multivariate regression, our 3 anthropometric variables attempted to explain significant amounts of variance for 13 bench press performance indices. For criterion measures that reached significance, separate Pearson product moment correlation coefficients further assessed if the strength of association each anthropometric variable had with the criterion was also significant. Our analyses showed that anthropometry explained significant amounts (p < 0.05) of variance for 8 criterion measures. It was concluded that body mass had strong univariate correlations with 1RM and force-related measures, total arm length was moderately associated with 1RM and criterion variables at the lightest load, whereas biacromial width had an inverse relationship with the peak number of repetitions performed per set at the 2 lighter loads. Practical applications suggest results may help coaches and practitioners identify anthropometric features that may best predict various measures of bench press prowess in athletes.

The Analysis of the Painting Work Clothes Clothing Comfort and Wearer Mobility Considering the Work Environment in the Machine and Shipbuilding Industries

The purpose of the study was to analyze the work clothes` clothing comfort and wearer mobility of painting workers with the consideration of the work environment features in the machine and shipbuilding industries in South Korea. A questionnaire survey was conducted for the study, which consisted of questions on the clothing comfort and wearer mobility aspects of painting work clothes by clothes types and body parts. The work clothes` clothing comfort and wearer mobility levels were scaled in 5 points i.e. 1(: very tight/very uncomfortable) to 5(: very slack/very comfortable). The painting work environmental hazardous features were considered as high impact levels of workplace temperature, oxygen deficiency, organic solvent, toxic gas factors while metal fragment factor only impacts ``low`` in the painting processes with the findings throughout this study. Since the painting work consisted of surface washing and the spray and touch-up painting processes, which was carried out in an outdoor work place, the painting work clothes should meet high performance of waterproofing from the painting material and air permeability specially in summer as well as thermal performance in winter. The subjects painting workers` assessment of the existing work clothes` clothing oppression was in the levels between 3 (i.e. moderate) and 4 (i.e. comfortable) in a range of 1 to 5 points. The existing painting work clothes` wearer mobility was evaluated ``very uncomfortable`` in all work clothes parts, especially, armhole length, biacromial breadth, sleeve length of the jumper; and body rise, waist, hip, thigh and knee circumferences of the pants.

Upper-Body Anthropometric and Strength Measures and Their Relationship to Start Time in Elite Luge Athletes

Start time has been shown to be a significant predictor of overall performance in the sport of luge. The starting motion in luge has been described as an explosive upper-body movement that requires significant technique and skill to perfect. This study aims to investigate upper-body factors that may relate to start time in luge. Twenty-two subjects participated in the study as part of their normal off-season training. Each subject had a minimum of 3 years' experience in the sport of luge, and at the time was a member of a U.S. Luge National Team. Subjects completed a 1 repetition maximum (1RM) in the bench press (BP), prone row (PR), and weighted pull-up (WP). Anthropometric distances were taken measuring finger-tip span (FS), biacromial breadth (BB), acromio-radial length, acromio-olecranon length (AO), hand length, and sitting cervical height. Subjects were divided into 2 groups based on which U.S. Luge National team they were currently a member of, Senior National (SN, n = 13) and Junior National (JN, n = 9). A Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient showed several significant (p ≤ 0.05) relationships between upper-body variables and start time among the groups. The BP and PR 1RM were shown to have a significant relationship in both groups. Among the anthropometric variables, AO was also significant in both groups. The WP, FS, BB, and height were all shown to have a significant relationship with start time in the SN group, but not in the JN group. These results suggest that as luge athletes become more efficient in the starting technique, outside factors such as upper-body strength and anthropometric measures play a larger role in performance.

Morphological characteristics of young elite paddlers

Morphological characteristics of young elite paddlers The aims of this study were to describe kinanthropometric characteristics of elite male and female young paddlers and to compare their proportionality with Olympic paddlers. One hundred and eighty seven young elite sprint paddlers (124 males and 63 females), aged 13 and 14 years, were assessed using a battery of 31 anthropometric dimensions. Somatotypes, Phantom Z-scores and corrected girths were calculated. Comparison between the 13 and 14 year old paddlers showed that 14 year old males had greater height, body weight, sitting height, arm span and upper body lengths, breadths and girths than their 13 year old counterparts, whereas 14 year old female paddlers only differed significantly from the 13 year olds in biacromial breadth and corrected arm girth. Mean somatotypes of male paddlers were best described as balanced mesomorphs, while female paddlers were centrals. Olympic paddlers had higher proportional dimensions in upper body girths, and biacromial breadth in both genders. The data provided in this study could be used as a guideline for talent identification in sprint canoeing and kayaking.

Stature estimation from bi-acromial and bi-iliocristal measurements

Identification studies about stature estimation provide useful information in individual cases. Many studies put forward the relationship between height and some parts of the skeleton and the body parts in consideration. The classical measurements (foot, hand and long bones) for stature estimation have been already studied in different populations, whereas very few is available concerning Bi-acromial Breadth (BAB) and Bi-iliocristal Breadth (BICB). Anthropometrical measurements were performed by middle-income 337 volunteers; 216 males and 121 females. These measurements were studied by SPSS routines and linear regression formulas were defined for variables included in significant correlation related to stature. There was a statistically significancy (p<0.01) between stature and variables (BAB, BICB). Sex differences were found to be highly significant for all the measurements. In this research, best correlation was examined in males for BAB (r=0.42), but for BICB there was a very weak correlation in both males (r=0.21) and females (r=0.19). When both variables were studied, relation with stature in males reached to r=0.43. Even though variables' relations with stature were found weak, in cases of impaired integrity of corpses, regression formulas about stature estimation specific to Turkish population may provide useful information.

Validity and Reliability of a New Test of Upper Body Power

The purpose of this study was to determine the concurrent validity of a new bench press power (BPP) test using the medicine ball put (MBP) as the criterion measure. Forty-three college-age students (19 males and 24 females) participated in the study. Participants performed 1 repetition at maximum speed using 61.4 kg (males) and 25 kg (females), at a grip width of 130% of biacromial breadth. Timing was initiated manually at the moment of upward bar movement and stopped automatically as the bar broke an infrared beam 0.3 m above the chest. All tests were conducted within 2 weeks. There was 1 practice session for the BPP test and 2 separate testing sessions, one for BPP and the other for the MBP. Three BPP trials were separated by >or=2 minutes of passive recovery. Individual scores were the average of the second and third tests and were expressed in Watts: Power=Bar mass kg.9.81x0.3 m/s. Medicine ball put scores were the average distance the ball was thrown on the second and third trials from a sitting position on a 45 degrees recumbent weight bench. Concurrent validity was determined by conducting a Pearson Correlation on BPP and MBP scores at an alpha level of 0.05: males, r=0.861; females, r=0.79, (p<0.000). In addition, results of an Intraclass R indicated excellent test-retest reliability for both males and females for BPP and the MBP (p<0.05). The conclusion was that the BPP test is a logically and concurrently valid method for coaches and trainers to use in assessing upper body power for both college-age males and females.

Influence Of Stance Width On Power Production During The Barbell Squat

The barbell squat is a commonly used resistance training exercise for the lower limbs that uses and strengthens the muscles surrounding multiple joints of the lower limbs, and as such is considered one of the most basic resistance training exercises. For this reason, previous studies have examined the relationships between quadriceps activity and stance width, knee flexion angle, or tibial rotation angle during the squat exercise. However, there is a lack of studies examining the effects of different stance widths and the effect on power productions during squat training. The purpose of this study was to examine whether using different width stances &#12288; influenced maximal power production while performing the barbell squat exercise. Eight trained male (means ± SD, age 21.1 ± 2.1 year, height 171.4 ± 6.8 cm, body mass 80.0 ± 13.4 kg) volunteered as subjects for this study. Squat power was assessed, utilizing four different stance widths while exercising with 60% 1 RM loads. Power was measured using an external dynamometer attached to the barbell, (Myotest, Inc., Switzer-land). Since the barbell COM and the body COM travel similar distances, system mass (body mass + barbell mass) was used for all power calculations. The squat stances used were 1) feet 50% bi-acromialthe, 2) feet 100% bi-acromial width, 3) feet 150% bi-acromial width, and 4) feet 200% bi-acromial width. For each of the four different stance widths, the subjects performed three reps at maximal concentric velocity. The concentric pahse started when the posterior thigh was parallel to the ground. The Friedman test was used to determine significant differences in power between the four stances. The level of significant for all statistical analyses was p < 0.05. Resulting power values were expressed normalized to power using the 100% bi-acromial width stance, and expressed as a percentage. Maximal squat power occurred using the 150% bi-acromial width stance (128.4 ± 32.5%), and was significantly higher than the squat power using 50%(97.5 ± 14.3%), 100% and 200%(101.2 ± 16.2%) bi-acromial width stances. These results indicate that altering the stance widths during the barbell squat exercise result in different levels of power production different. The effect of barbell squat stance width needs to be considered when coaches and trainers measure their athletes' 1RM or assess power production during that exercise.

Relationships between the Front Crawl Stroke Parameters of Competitive Unilateral Arm Amputee Swimmers, with Selected Anthropometric Characteristics

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships between swimming speed (SS), stroke length (SL), and stroke frequency (SF) for competitive single-arm amputee front crawl swimmers and assess their relationships with anthropometric characteristics. Thirteen highly trained swimmers (3 male, 10 female) were filmed underwater from a lateral view during seven increasingly faster 25-m front crawl trials. Increases in SS (above 75% of maximum SS) were achieved by a 5% increase in SF, which coincided with a 2% decrease in SL. At SSmax, interswimmer correlations showed that SF was significantly related to SS (r = .72; p < .01) whereas SL was not. Moderate but nonsignificant correlations suggested that faster swimmers did not necessarily use longer and slower strokes to swim at a common submaximal speed when compared with their slower counterparts. No correlations existed between SL and any anthropometric characteristics. Biacromial breadth, shoulder girth, and upper-arm length all significantly correlated with the SF used at SSmax. These findings imply that as a consequence of being deprived of an important propelling limb, at fast swimming speeds SF is more important than SL in influencing the performance outcome of these single-arm amputee swimmers.

Relationship between anthropometric parameters and throwing velocity in water polo players

Water polo is a collective sport and efforts of high intensity are made in less duration, where the players must swim, jump, and send the ball with moments of rest or low intensity. The necessity of greater, stronger, and faster players is supported by the development in the anthropometric characteristics. The aim of this study was to establish the importance of the anthropometric factors in the throwing velocity (v), evaluated on 22 players pertaining to Spanish Selection of water polo. The references to the anthropometric profile were measured according to the protocol of the International Working Group of Kinanthropometry (ISAK), considered by literature as those recommended to characterize a population of sportsmen. The conditional evaluation was centered on the evaluation of the specific v of three types of shootings, in the swimming pool and from the distance of 5 m. The v were measured whit radar (Inc., Flat StalkerPro), with a frequency of registry of 100 Hz and with 0.045 sensitivity of m·s −1 . The results show that the higher v is reached with the throwing without goalkeeper and the lower v in the throwing with goalkeeper. The corporal size through the Body Mass Index (BMI) (r=0.5), circumference of the arm (r=0.5), biacromial breadth (r=0.5) and the femur breadth (r=0.6) correlate with the throwing v with goalkeeper in players of water polo. The corporal size is confirmed as an important factor to arrive at the high performance in water polo (p<0.05).

The Affect of Grip Width on Bench Press Performance and Risk of Injury

summary Bodybuilders, athletes, and recreational lifters select a grip width during the bench press that they believe will produce a greater force output. Research has demonstrated that a wide grip (> 1.5 biacromial width) may increase the risk of shoulder injury, including anterior shoulder instability, atraumatic osteolysis of distal clavicle, and pectoralis major rupture. Reducing grip width to ≤1.5 biacromial width appears to reduce this risk and does not affect muscle recruitment patterns, only resulting in a ±5% difference in one repetition maximum.

The Affect of Grip Width on Bench Press Performance and Risk of Injury

summary Bodybuilders, athletes, and recreational lifters select a grip width during the bench press that they believe will produce a greater force output. Research has demonstrated that a wide grip (>1.5 biacromial width) may increase the risk of shoulder injury, including anterior shoulder instability, atraumatic osteolysis of distal clavicle, and pectoralis major rupture. Reducing grip width to ≤1.5 biacromial width appears to reduce this risk and does not affect muscle recruitment patterns, only resulting in a ±5% difference in one repetition maximum.

Variation in Physical Structures of the Meitei Women Weight Lifters and the ControlledGroup

Weight lifting is one of the power games, which demands certain specialized physical structure. The Meitei women weight lifters of state, national and international class numbering 31 individuals have been studied considering 21 anthropometric variables and had also compared with 100 Meitei women non-athletes in respect of the above physical structure. The study revealed that weight lifters have significantly shorter stature with shorter upper and forearm lengths than the non-athletes. At the same time, they have significantly heavier body weight, broader breadth measurements of hand, bi-acromial, bi-iliocristale, bi-trochanteric, and bigger girth measurements of upper and forearm, normal chest, thigh and calf than the non-athletes. Further, they have proportionately heavier body weight, larger proportions of bi-iliocristale, bi-acromial breadths and limb girths than the non-athletes. In respect of body composition, they have higher mean value of total body fat and lean body mass than the controlled group.

The Relative Importance of Anthropometric and Physiological Attributes in Sprint Kayaking Performance

PURPOSE: To determine the relative importance of anthropometric and physiological attributes for performance in the 1000 m, 500 m and 200 m sprint kayaking events. METHODS: Eighteen male kayakers, who ranged from international to club level (age 25±4 yr), completed a battery of anthropometric, ergometry, dynamometry and spirometry tests. Pearson pro duct-moment correlation coefficients were calculated for the relationships between these parameters and performance time over 1000 m, 500 m and 200 m. In addition, physiological variables were scaled to body mass using exponents of 1 and 0.67. Variables displaying a significant relationship with race time were entered into backward regression analysis to predict performance. RESULTS: The performance times (mean ± SD) for 1000 m, 500 m and 200 m were 262.56 ±36.44 sec, 122.10 ± 5.74 sec and 41.59 ± 2.12 sec, respectively. Significant relationships (P <0.05) with 1000 m performance were found for biacromial breadth (r = 0.52), oxygen consumption at the lactate turn-point (LTP) expressed as a percentage of VO (r = −0.51), peak power (r = −0.65) and work done (r = −0.74) in the 30 sec ergometry test. Significant relationships with both 500 m and 200 m performance were found for chest girth (r = −0.50 and −0.53, respectively), humeral breadth (r = −0.65 and −0.83, respectively), power at LTP (r = −0.52 and −0.54, respectively), maximal aerobic power (r = −0.66 and −0.59, respectively), peak power (r = −0.84 and −0.68, respectively) and work done (r = −0.87 and −0.74, respectively) in the 30 sec ergometry test, isometric torque (r = −0.60 and −0.47, respectively) and isokinetic (at 300 °-sec1) torque (r = −0.66 and −0.57, respectively) during a simulated kayak stroke. Physiological variables expressed in absolute terms demonstrated a stronger relationship with performance than when scaled to body mass using either exponent. Regression analysis revealed that 1000 m performance was predicted by oxygen consumption at LTP expressed as a percentage of VO2max and work done in the 30 sec ergometry test (adjusted R2 = 0.43, SEE = 6.75 sec); 500 m performance by humeral breadth, peak isokinetic torque and peak power in the 30 sec ergometry test (adjusted R2 = 0.64, SEE = 3.23 sec); and 200 m performance by chest circumference, humeral breadth, work done in the 30 sec ergometry test and maximal aerobic power (adjusted R2 = 0.66, SEE = 0.77 sec). CONCLUSIONS: Anthropometric and absolute physiological attributes are correlated with performance in all three distances, though their relative importance varies between events. Performance time over 1000 m, 500 m and 200 m may be predicted with a standard error of only 2.6%, 2.6% and 1.9%, respectively.

Strong association between polymorphisms in ANKH locus and skeletal size traits

Loss of bone strength is the main determinant of bone fragility. Bone strength is directly dependent on bone size (BS). A substantial portion of BS variation is attributable to genetic effects. However, the list of genes and allelic variants involved in the determination of BS variation is far from being complete. Polymorphisms in the ANKH gene have been shown to be associated with radiographic hand BS-related phenotypes. The present study examined the possible association of the ANKH gene with skeletal size and shape in order to test the universality of the ANKH effect on BS traits. Our sample consisted of a total of 212 ethnically homogeneous nuclear families (743 individuals) of European origin. Each individual was measured for body height, weight, and several other anthropometrical measurements, and genotyped for nine polymorphic markers (the average heterozygosity level was 0.4). We observed significant associations with practically all the anthropometrical phenotypes studied. More specifically, we found associations with body weight and height, limb length (P</=0.001; promoter region). After adjustment for body height, we demonstrated the substantial association increase for biacromial breadth (P=0.0012; some 140 kb downstream from ANKH) and vertebral column length (P=0.0008; exons 2-7 region). The majority of the observed associations persisted even after correction for multiple testing. For the first time the reliable evidence in support of universality of ANKH gene polymorphisms effect on bone size was provided.