Investigating Anthropometric characteristics and Somatotypes in Elite Indian Track & Field Athletes

Abstract

Introduction: The main aim of this study is to analyze the somatotype and body composition traits of elite-level male track and field competitors in India. Method: Thirty-eight male track and field athletes at the state and national level (Eleven jumpers, four middle-and long-distance runners, nineteen sprinters, and four throwers, took part in the study. Anthropometric measurements were performed for body mass, stature, 7 skinfold sites, 3 girths, and 2 breadths. Somatotypes, body fat %, fat mass and lean body mass for all subjects were also calculated. Results: The pairwise comparison analysis revealed significant differences in the endomorph component for throwers and athletes competing in sprint events (p = 0.000; 95% CI: -2.91 to -0.73), jump events (p = 0.000; 95% CI: -3.25 to -0.94), and middle- or long-distance events (p = 0.002; 95% CI: -3.46 to -0.67). The mesomorph component also revealed significant differences between throwers and athletes competing in sprint events (p = 0.035; 95% CI: -3.27 to -0.09), jump events (p = 0.013; 95% CI: -3.72 to -0.35), and middle- or long-distance events (p = 0.002; 95% CI: -5.00 to -0.92). Significant differences were found in the ectomorph component for jump and throw (p = 0.001; 95% CI: 0.72 to 3.31), for middle/long distance and sprint (p = 0.042; 95% CI: 0.04 to 2.48), for middle/long distance and throw (p = 0.000; 95% CI: 1.37 to 4.52), and for sprint and throw (p = 0.004; 95% CI: 0.46 to 2.91). Significant differences were found in the body fat percentage for jump and throw (p = 0.000; 95% CI: -7.50 to -1.96), for middle/long distance and throw (p = 0.004; 95% CI: -7.97 to -1.27), and for sprint and throw (p = 0.001; 95% CI: -6.86 to -1.64). Conclusion: Throwers were found to be more endomorphic mesomorphs, while middle-and long-distance runners were mesomorphic-ectomorphs, sprinters and jumpers were ectomophic-mesomorphs. Gaining a better understanding of the somatotypes of elite track and field athletes, helps to establish a benchmark for other Indian athletes in the sport, and help coaches improve their training methods.