The Difference of Anthropometric Characteristics Between Elite and Novice Bodybuilders in Thailand

Abstract

Research purpose. This study aims to compare anthropometric characteristics between elite and novice bodybuilders.
 Materials and methods. Twenty bodybuilders consisted of 10 elites and 10 novices were recruited. Percent body fat, segmental lean mass, and segmental fat mass were measured by a bioelectrical impedance analysis device. Other measure includes the circumference of body segment and body height.
 Results. Results of the study indicated that significant differences were found in terms of upper arm (flexed) circumference, upper arm circumference, and chest circumference, with the elite, were bigger than the novice. Elite bodybuilders also had significantly lower body fat percentage, with a better segmental lean mass of the right arm, left arm, and trunk. Interestingly neck, arm, waist, hip, thigh, and calf circumferences were not significantly different between groups. Similar insignificant differences were also found in body mass index, a segmental lean mass of right leg and left leg, a segmental fat mass of left and right arm, trunk, and left and right leg. With regards specifically to the group of bodybuilders that participated in this study, the non-significant differences variables may indicate areas that can be improved in terms of training in both elite and novice. The variables with significant differences may indicate the area that may have been over-emphasized by the elite group, which may also contribute to their better (winning) performance.
 Conclusions. In a conclusion, the results also correspond well with bodybuilding judging criteria, where one of them such as size (circumference) may be similar, but bodybuilders with lean and well-defined bodies will be in the winning group.

The Injury Incidence and Treatment Experience among Elite and Beginner Thailand Bodybuilders

“…This sample size was used as a calculation method for prevalence study provided by Naing et al (2006) which a precision of 0.05 and bodybuilding injury rate data from previous study (Keogh & Winwood, 2017). The participants were divided into elite (over 5 years of bodybuilding experience) and beginner groups (less than 5 year for bodybuilding experience) (Sukwong et al, 2022). All participants read and signed inform consent that approved by Institutional Review Board (No.…”

“…Bodybuilding is a sport that requires resistance training to increase muscle mass and decrease fat mass to generate muscle definition. There was research report that elite bodybuilders had larger muscle group and lesser fat mass when compare to novice group (Sukwong et al, 2022). The bodybuilding athletes from clubs in Germany got injury from training at the shoulder, elbow, lumbar and knee (Siewe et al, 2014).…”