The role of anthropometric characteristics in modern pentathlon performance in female athletes

Abstract

In order to determine the role of body build characteristics in modern pentathletes, 65 female participants at the IXth World Modern Pentathlon Championships, 1989 (Wiener Neustadt, Austria) were investigated. Of these, 54 participate in the competition; the other 11 were reserves. Their mean (+/- S.D.) age was 22.34 +/- 3.97 years (range 16.08-32.58 years). Anthropometric characteristics (body mass, lengths, breadths, girths and skinfolds), somatotype and body composition estimates were determined. Compared with other female athletes (e.g. swimmers, runners, fencers), the elite modern pentathletes were rather tall (x = 168.1 cm) and, as indicated by the body mass index (x = 21.6), they had a high mass relative to their stature. Based on skinfolds, body fat was estimated as 16%, and anthropometrically determined somatotype was on average 2.5-3.9-2.8. The relationship between the athletes' anthropometric characteristics and modern pentathlon performance was investigated by means of Pearson zero-order correlations between the physical traits and the competitive performance scores. Significant correlations were found mainly for the 'fat' variables, such as skinfolds, percent fat and the endomorphy component, r varying from -0.34 to -0.58, which indicated an inverse relationship between the amount of fatness and modern pentathlon performance. To investigate this relationship further, Pearson zero-order correlations were calculated between the respective factors scores, derived from a rotated factor pattern (Varimax) carried out on selected somatic variables, and the performance scores. The results demonstrated that, in relation to anthropometric characteristics, modern pentathlon performance in females is mainly associated with the 'fat development' factor, and to a lesser degree with the 'bone-muscle development' factor. Variables representing linearity of physique seem to be unrelated to modern pentathlon performance. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that 42.4% of the variance in modern pentathlon performance can be explained by the following anthropometric variables: sum of 10 skinfolds, biacromial breadth and humerus diameter. To obtain a high level of modern pentathlon performance, it would seem that a female athlete must above all have a low level of body fatness and, to a lesser degree, a relatively high level of lean body mass.

Physique traits of lightweight rowers and their relationship to competitive success

“…A relationship between competitive success and physique traits has been identified in an array of sports, including football codes, 1 aesthetically judged sports, 2 swimming, 3 track and field events, 4 and skiing, 5 plus lightweight 6 and heavyweight rowing. 7 The specific physique traits associated with competitive success vary with the sport.…”

Atletas De Pentatlo Militar Feminino Com Melhor Composição Corporal Apresentam Melhor Desempenho Na Modalidade

“…Comportamento similar foi encontrado em um estudo antigo envolvendo 65 atletas mulheres de elite de Pentatlo Moderno 28 , cujo resultado mostrou correlação negativa entre desempenho na modalidade e variáveis relacionadas à adiposidade corporal (soma de dobras, componente endomorfo do somatotipo e percentual de gordura). Tais achados corroboram o presente estudo, mostrando que a composição corporal se associa ao desempenho dos cadetes e dos atletas observados pelas avaliações fisiológicas e de desempenho.…”

Somatotipo como indicador de desempenho em atletas de futsal feminino

“…A esse respeito, no atletismo, evidências demonstram que, dentro de um grupo de atletas que disputavam a mesma modalidade, o competidor que obteve o melhor resultado apresentou o somatotipo mais adequado para as exigências da prova 11 . Em corredores de fundo o somatotipo contribuiu significativamente para a variância no desempenho alcançado 16 , enquanto no pentatlon foi localizada uma relação inversa entre a endomorfia e o desempenho 10 . Neste estudo, os melhores resultados foram alcançados pelas pentatletas com menor adiposidade e maior massa magra.…”