Anthropometric profile of elite acrobatic gymnasts and prediction of role performance.
BACKGROUND
This study is aimed at determining the anthropometric profile of acrobatic gymnasts, differentiating on the basis of their role.


METHODS
The sample consisted of 150 gymnasts (129 women and 21 men) from throughout Spain. The anthropometric measurements were taken according to the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK) procedures. Morphological measurements, proportionality and somatotype were analyzed in both groups. A comparative analysis between groups and a prediction model were used to analyze the specific profile of each role.


RESULTS
All morphological measurements showed significant differences (P<0.05) between tops and bases, the latter presenting higher values. The endomorphic element of the bases presented higher values than the tops, for whom the ectomorphy scores were higher. Bases have an endo-mesomorphic somatotype and tops present a balanced mesomorphic. There are no mesomorphy differences between the tops and bases. BMI was significantly higher in the bases (BMI=20.28 kg/m2). Proportionality differences between roles are shown. Both roles present negatives values for almost all variables studied except for the trochlear condyle of the humerus, the bicondyle of the femur and the wrist bistyloid breadth in tops and the wrist bistyloid breadth, the upper arm relaxed girths and maximum calf in bases. The best prediction model included thigh girth as the best explanatory covariate of role performance.


CONCLUSIONS
Here are differences between both roles, bases being gymnasts of larger size than tops. However, they present no differences in the muscular component, as it might be expected.
Department of Special Didactics, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Research Group Gies-10 Instituto de Investigación Biomédica (IBI), University of Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain - yaitaboada@uvigo.es.
Yaiza
Y
Taboada-Iglesias
Águeda
Á
Gutiérrez-Sánchez
Mercedes
M
Vernetta Santana
D000293:Adolescent; D000886:Anthropometry; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D049628:Body Size / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006173:Gymnastics / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D006811:Humerus / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D000070496:Kinanthropometry; D007866:Leg / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D013008:Somatotypes; D013030:Spain; D013848:Thigh / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D014953:Wrist / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology