title: Anthropometric and somatotype characteristics of world class male roller skaters by discipline.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was twofold: 1) to describe the anthropometric profile and somatotype of the elite male roller skaters; and: 2) to assess if there are any differences in these items by roller skating discipline (figures, freestyle, pair and dance).
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-eight male skater participants in the 51st Figure Roller Skating World Championship were selected for the study. The International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK) protocol was used to determine the anthropometric profile of the figure skaters. Additionally, Body Mass Index (BMI), sum of four and six skinfolds and somatotype were also analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant differences were found for the sum of four and six skinfolds among disciplines. Significant differences were found for flexed arm (P≤0.05), forearm (P≤0.05) and wrist girths (P≤0.001) between artistic roller figure and pair skaters. Significant differences were found in waist girth (P≤0.05), flexed arm, forearm and wrist girths (P≤0.001) between artistic roller freestyle and pairs skaters. No differences were found in lower limbs girths among disciplines. Significant differences were found in humerus (P<0.05) and bistyloid (P<0.05) breadth among disciplines. The general somatotype is endo-mesomorphic for roller freestyle and figure skaters. In pair skaters the somatotype is ecto-mesomorphic, and for dance skaters it is balanced mesomorphic.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Education and Sport Science, University of Vigo, C/ Campus A Xunqueira s/n, Pontevedra, Spain - cferragutfiol@gmail.com.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vila
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Abraldes
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rodríguez
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ferragut
mesh_terms: D000886:Anthropometry; D015992:Body Mass Index; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012861:Skating / Q000502:physiology*; D012885:Skinfold Thickness; D013008:Somatotypes; D055815:Young Adult