Body composition and somatotype characteristics of junior Olympic athletes.

Body composition and somatotype were determined in Junior Olympic competitors to evaluate the structural characteristics concomitant to high proficiency in various athletic activities. Underwater weighings and anthropometric determinations of somatotype were performed on 145 male and 133 female adolescent participants in national meet competition in the sports of track and field, gymnastics, diving, and wrestling. The most frequent differences within either the male or female Junior Olympic samples involved the performers in throwing events (shot put, discus, and javelin), who were taller, heavier, fatter, and of unique somatotype when compared to all or most other competitors. Additional structural differences, generally of a lesser magnitude, also existed between other groups of Junior Olympians. Differences in body composition characteristics were also noted when Junior Olympians were compared with other adolescent athletes or non-athletes.