Evaluation of Body Mass Index and Body Compositions of Elite and Non-Elite Korfball Athletes by Gender: Descriptive-Comparative Study

Abstract

The aim of the study was to compare the body mass index (BMI) and body compositions of elite and non-elite play-ers by gender in korfball, a mixed-gender team sport. Material and Methods: Thirty-nine athletes aged 17-30, 20 national athletes play-ing in international tournaments, and 19 playing only in national tour-naments voluntarily participated in the study. Body compositions of the participants were evaluated by using a Bluetooth-based device, BiodyXpert Bioimpedance. Fat%, fat weight, lean body weight (LBW), bone mineral content, total water, and basal metabolic rate were evaluated. Results: The BMI, %fat, LBW of the elite female and male players respectively is (21.00±2.73kg/m 2 , 22.17±4.93, 47±4.31); (22.88±3.23 kg/m 2 , %14.88±5.51, 64.13±6.2kg). The BMI, %fat, LBW of the non-elite female and male players respectively is (20.33±2.90 kg/m 2 , %21.58±5.00, 44.5±4.1kg); (21±3.00 kg/m 2 , %13.86±5.55, 62.71±1.16 kg). Height, weight, %fat, muscle mass and LBW values of elite athletes were found to be significantly higher than those of non-elite athletes (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in BMI and height values between the two groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: BMI and fat% of elite and non-elite female and male korfball players are within normal limits. LBW is higher in elite athletes than in non-elite athletes. As in other sports, fat % and fat weight are higher in female athletes than men, and LBW is higher in men. This difference is thought to be due to the physiological difference between men and women.

Biomechanical Factors Predisposing to Knee Injuries in Junior Female Basketball Players

“…No differences were observed between sex and BMI, which agrees with data from studies with children up to 12 years old [ 27 ] and with adults [ 28 ]. The data were within the mean percentiles for the age of the sample [ 29 ], being 20.75 (2.45) kg/m 2 in men and 22.34 (2.73) kg/m 2 in women.…”