Evaluation of Some Anatomical and Anthropometric Characteristics of the Chest Based on the Analysis of Digital Images of the Anterior Aspect of Trunk in Top Athletes

Abstract

The aim of this research was to assess the size and shape of the chest in students and top athletes. The research involved 23 first-year students of the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, and 23 top athletes of the Athletic Federation of Serbia. The digital images of the frontal trunk aspect were made and further analyzed in ImageJ program. The vertical and horizontal distances and as well as the angles were determined: the infrasternal angle and the angle of umbilicus (sides of the angle connect the points on the left and right). Both students and athletes were divided into three height groups (I -165-174 cm; II -175-184 cm; . BMI and BI were determined (shoulder width). No statistical differences in height, weight and BMI among the groups of students and top athletes were found, which pointed to the homogeneity of the groups. All the parameters determined, the vertical and horizontal ones, except AAD, were significantly higher in top athletes (p ≤ 0.05) compared to the same parameters obtained in students of all three height groups. Acromial distance increases with height, but not statistically significantly. The above mentioned indicates a significantly better development of the bone-joint-muscle system of the chest in top athletes. The infrasternalni angle correlates with the angle of the umbilicus and it can be used to assess the shape of the chest. In our researches, analysing the individual cases, the presence of normasthenic, asthenic (elongated) and barrelshaped chest was determined. The program ImageJ is very precise, objective and easily applicable for determining the lenghtwise parameters and angles in anatomic and anthropometric measurements. The method does not require anthropometric equipment, digital images can be made quickly and efficiently. Therefore, we consider it particularly suitable for measurements in childhood and athletes.