Anthropometric Concomitants of Physical Performance

Somatotype William Sheldon Photoscopic ratings based on listed criteria Endomorphy – Mesomorphy – Ectomorphy Ratings 1 to , 1-1-7, 2-6-2

Somatotype Heath-Carter Anthropometric system: Endomorphy (the first component) refers to relative fatness in physique. Mesomorphy (the second component) refers to relative development of the musculo-skeletal system. Ectomorphy (the third component) refers to relative linearity of physique. Ratings 0.5 to >7

Predicting Performance, Size or Shape? Olympic male javelin throwers and gymnasts Same somatotype, different size

MALESENDOMESOECTO Canadian University Males Professional Football Running Backs Lineman Professional Hockey Players Nordic Skiers Olympic Athletes Sprinters m Runners m Runners km & 10 km Runners High & Long Jumpers Shot, Discus, Hammer Javelin Cyclists Canoeists Basketball Volleyball Judo Fencers Field Hockey Swimmers Water Polo Rowers Weightlifters Wrestlers Boxers Gymnasts

FEMALESENDOMESOECTO Canadian University Females Nordic Skiers Olympic Athletes Sprinters Middle Distance Runners High & Long Jumpers Shot & Discus Javelin High & Long Jumpers Shot & Discus Javelin Swimmers Gymnasts Canoeists Rowers

Sport Specificity of Physique Age, Height & Weight – Throwers and Distance Runners older than Sprinters and Jumpers – Maximum muscle mass is not achieved until about 23 or 24 years of age Maturational differences – Maturation may enhance or detract from performance Limbs become proportionally longer Strength to mass changes

Sport Specificity of Physique Many sport or activity specific requirements or consequences of training are predictable – Overload principle Muscle and bone respond dynamically to mechanical stress or lack of it – Tennis player racquet arm larger muscle and bone width – Genetic – height for basketball and high jumping – late maturing for female gymnasts

Weight Training Greater potential for hypertrophy in the upper body

Sprinters Muscle Power – Large muscles – High % fast twitch African-American, Caribbean dominance – Proportionally long limbs? – Proportionally narrow hips?

Marathoner Low weight for height Small muscles – No arm muscle – Calves well developed but not large Exceptional cardio-respiratory delivery and oxygen utilization systems

Cylist Lower body dominant muscle development Size and performance requirements vary with event – Track sprinters Often crossover of athletes with speed skating – Tour de France

Rowers Tall with proportionally long limbs Although musculature shows no particular pattern, the Humerus (elbow) width disproportionately large in relation to femur width in every rower measured at the 1976 Olympic Games (over 50 males and 50 females)

Swimmers Fat athletes? – Cold water – None weight bearing Physique requirements different for each event Ian Thorpe multiple freestyle Olympic and World Champion had size 17 feet Australian breaststroker disconsolate after hearing she is a fat athlete and that her taller freestyle team mate wants to use her as a chin rest

Gymnasts Female gymnasts – Pre-pubertal – Small – Proportionally short limbs – High strength to mass ratio Male gymnasts – Mature – Small – Proportionally short limbs – High strength to mass ratio

Ice Skating Requirements: Technical Skills – Quadruple Spin Jumps Artistry – Interpretation of the music Elvis StojkoEmanuel Sandhu

Ice Hockey Fast twitch fibres Lower body muscle development Maximum muscle mass reached at about 23 to 24 years of age Big 18 and 19 year olds brought into the NHL and who are expected to hit and be hit invariably have lingering back injuries in their 20’s

Predicting Strength Best indicator of muscle strength is cross-sectional area of muscle X-sectional Area ForceForce

G Ga S Ga = G - (Π x S) Assumes: limb is perfectly circular with muscle as a perfect circle concentric to an annulus of subcutaneous adipose tissue Depth of the annulus S is equal to the measured skinfold thickness Where Ga = skinfold-adjusted girth G = measured girth (cm) S = skinfold thickness (cm) Π = 3.14

Max Grip Strength vs Skinfold adjusted Forearm Girth Kin 303 Students

Previous Kin 303 Project Heel raises vs S.A. Calf Girth (r=0.95) in untrained university males – Good range in size – Highly standardized test – Small skill component – Motivation – Restricted Training Level The more standardized the strength test the better the relationship with muscle size

Strength is muscle specific Correlations of Strength tests with Skinfold-adjusted Girths BPK 303 Male Students (n = 32) Strength Test GirthKnee Hip ExtensionGrip Strength Skinfold-adjusted Arm Skinfold-adjusted Forearm Skinfold-adjusted Thigh Skinfold-adjusted Calf

Quantification of Performance Are the units of measurement those of the quality supposedly being assessed? – Standing Broad Jump Distance jumped – Power test – Flexed Arm Hang Time hanging – Muscular endurance test – Maximal Oxygen Uptake l/min or ml/kg/min – Maximum rate of oxygen use

Standing Broad Jump Distance Jumped Muscular Power Body Weight Height of Centre of Gravity Angle of Take-Off Skill - Arm Swing Motivation

Flexed Arm Hang Time that set position is maintained Muscular Endurance Unequal test – People of different weights – Composition of weight may vary

Maximal Oxygen Uptake Rate of consumption of oxygen during maximal work rate – Treadmill, Cycle Ergometer, Arm Crank Ergometer Absolute VO 2 max l/min Relative VO 2 max ml/kg/min Which is the best indicator of fitness?