Original scientific paper
Morphological Characteristics of Portuguese Rhythmic Gymnasts in Different Competition Levels
Amanda Batista
orcid.org/0000-0002-9545-2880
; Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport (CIFI2D), Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
Rui Garganta
; Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport (CIFI2D), Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
Lurdes Ávila-Carvalho
; Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport (CIFI2D), Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
Abstract
This study aimed to: (1) compare morphological and training characteristics in Portuguese gymnasts across competitive levels; (2) investigate the morphological variables with higher discriminatory power between groups; (3) determine
which morphological variables better explain performance. The sample (n=164) consisted of gymnasts at three competition
levels (base, 1st division and elite) from Portugal. 19 anthropometric and 2 body composition measurements were performed. Somatotype was defined by Health-Carter method. Training data were collected by interviewing. For the statistical analyses, Kruskal-Wallis test, linear regression and discriminant function were used. Portuguese gymnasts (13.5±2.0
years) presented 43.7±9.3 kg of body mass, 152.6±8.9cm of height, 18.5±2.4k g/m2
of BMI, 17.5±4.1% of body fat, endomorph-ectomorph somatotype and 16.9±7.5 hours/week of training volume. Elite gymnasts differed from other groups in
having lower skinfolds and body fat; and higher training volume and training years. The elite and the 1st division showed
higher ectomorphy and lower endomorphy component than the base. Thus, the elite presented morphological and training
characteristics closer to the international standards, followed by the 1st division and the base. The variables that best
discriminate the gymnasts by competition levels were body fat and lower limb length. Furthermore, body fat was the main
morphological predictor of performance in competition
Keywords
anthropometry; body composition; somatotype; rhythmic gymnastics; Portuguese gymnasts.
Hrčak ID:
223980
URI
Publication date:
28.3.2019.
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