Somatotype Analysis of Elite Boxing Athletes Compared with Nonathletes for Sports Physiotherapy

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to show somatotype and physical characteristic differences between elite boxing athletes and non-athletes. [Methods] The somatotypes of 23 elite boxing athletes and 23 nonathletes were measured with the Heath-Carter method. The subjects were divided into four weight divisions as follows: lightweight, light middleweight, middleweight, and heavyweight class. [Results] The endomorphic component values of the boxing athletes were lower than those of the nonathletes. However, the mesomorphic component values of the boxing athletes were higher than those of the nonathletes. There was no significant difference in the ectomorphic component between the two groups. The higher weight divisions tended to have higher values of height, weight, and BMI than the lower weight divisions. The higher weight divisions also tended to have higher values for the endomorphic and mesomorphic components and a lower value for the ectomorphic component than the lower weight divisions. The group of nonathletes consisted of eight endomorphs, four mesomorphs, six ectomorphs, and five central types. Among the boxing athletes, there were 16 mesomorphic, four ectomorphic, and two central types and one endomorphic type. Subdividing the athletes into 13 somatotypes resulted in five balanced mesomorphs, five endomorphic mesomorphs, five mesomorph-ectomorphs, three mesomorph-endomorphs, two mesomorphic ectomorphs, two central types, and one ectomorphic mesomorph type. [Conclusion] The data from this study provides in part physical characteristics of elite boxing athletes that can be used to establish a reference for systemic study of sports physiotherapy.

Anthropometric and functional profiles of elite athletes from different categories at ABADÁ Capoeira World Championship

“…In the combat sports perspective, the literature has documented the anthropometric profiles of jiujitsu athletes (n = 11) with a mean age of 25.8 ± 3.3 years [10], judo athletes (n = 104) aged 23.3 ± 3.0 years [11], taekwondo athletes (n = 146) [12], boxing fighters (n = 23) aged 19.3 ± 0.3 years [13], karate athletes (n = 19) aged 31.6 ± 8.8 years [14], and Greco-Roman wrestling athletes (n = 23) aged 24.9 ± 5.5 years [15]. Similar to these mentioned studies, the predominant somatotype classification in the present study was fitted in the mesomorphic component.…”

“…This anthropometric trait can be associated with functional performance, which also needs to be clarified in different sports [9]. The somatotype of athletes in different martial arts, such as jiujitsu [10], judo [11], taekwondo [12], boxing [13], karate [14], and Greco-Roman wrestling [15], is well documented in the literature. However, considering the possible requirements in the Capoeira modality, studies on the physical and functional profiles of its practitioners are still necessary.…”

Quantitative genetic analysis of the body composition and blood pressure association in two ethnically diverse populations

“…A large number of studies indicate the existence of a possible association between the body compositions (BCP), including somatotypes (STP) and chronic morbidities of different aetiology (Kalichman, Livshits, & Kobyliansky, ; Rutten et al, ). STP classification is also used to establish a possible relationship between body shape and athleticism (Gutnik et al, ; Noh et al, ). Anthropometry is a widely used technique for assessing the human physique mainly because it is an inexpensive and non‐invasive method.…”

Somatotype and body composition analysis of Korean youth soccer players according to playing position for sports physiotherapy research

“…The basic somatotypes can be further divided into 13 subtypes 7 , 8 , 9 ) . The somatotypes of athletes suggest the physical characteristics of their sports 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ) . Heath-Carter’s classification can be applied to youth soccer players.…”