Hanjabam Barun Sharma1, Jyotsna Kailashiya2. 1. Senior Demonstrator, Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India. 2. Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Optimal strength and flexibility are essential for performance enhancement and injury prevention in hockey, and anthropometry is known to influence these parameters. AIM: To find anthropometric correlates for strength and flexibility score in young Indian field hockey players. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen female and 19 male subjects volunteered for the study. Selected anthropometric variables: lengths, breadths, girths and body composition; strength and sit and reach score were measured for each subject. RESULTS: Males were taller, leaner and stronger with longer upper limbs and broader chests. With few exceptions, taller, heavier and leaner players with longer trunks and limbs, broader chest and hip, and bulkier arms and lower limbs had stronger grip, back, upper and lower limbs. Heavier and taller players with longer trunk and more percentage of body fat were more flexible. Also, the stronger players had more percentage body fat and body mass index, which might be due to the strong positive correlation of percentage body fat and body mass index with fat free mass. CONCLUSION: Anthropometric variables, especially heights, breadths and body composition, show significant correlation with strength and flexibility, and hence may serve as monitoring tool and for talent identification.
INTRODUCTION: Optimal strength and flexibility are essential for performance enhancement and injury prevention in hockey, and anthropometry is known to influence these parameters. AIM: To find anthropometric correlates for strength and flexibility score in young Indian field hockey players. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen female and 19 male subjects volunteered for the study. Selected anthropometric variables: lengths, breadths, girths and body composition; strength and sit and reach score were measured for each subject. RESULTS: Males were taller, leaner and stronger with longer upper limbs and broader chests. With few exceptions, taller, heavier and leaner players with longer trunks and limbs, broader chest and hip, and bulkier arms and lower limbs had stronger grip, back, upper and lower limbs. Heavier and taller players with longer trunk and more percentage of body fat were more flexible. Also, the stronger players had more percentage body fat and body mass index, which might be due to the strong positive correlation of percentage body fat and body mass index with fat free mass. CONCLUSION: Anthropometric variables, especially heights, breadths and body composition, show significant correlation with strength and flexibility, and hence may serve as monitoring tool and for talent identification.
Keywords:
Back strength; Body composition; Hand grip; Hockey; Seated shot put throw; Sit and reach score; Vertical jump
Authors: H A Quinney; Randy Dewart; Alex Game; Gary Snydmiller; Darren Warburton; Gordon Bell Journal: Appl Physiol Nutr Metab Date: 2008-08 Impact factor: 2.665