Anthropometric profile, body composition, and somatotype in stand-up paddle (SUP) boarding international athletes: a...

Introduction: the anthropometric characteristics of international stand-up paddle (SUP) boarders are relevant aspects when it comes to their performance. However, very little research has been carried out within this sport, almost none regarding the body composition and anthropometric characteristics of SUP practitioners. Therefore, the aim of this research will be to describe the anthropometric profile of international SUP boarders. Material and methods: a cross-sectional design in thirty-one international SUP boarders (34.2 ± 12.4 years). Height, body mass, 8 skinfolds, 2 bone diameters, and 5 perimeters were measured, and corrected perimeters were calculated by the same two level-2 internationally certified anthropometrists. Anthropometric measurements were taken following the International Society of Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK) protocol. Body fat mass (FM) was calculated using Carter, Faulkner, Yuhasz, and Withers equations, whereas muscle mass (MM) was estimated using the Lee 2000 equation. Somatotype was calculated by applying the Heath and Carter equation. Bioimpedance (BIA) measurements were also recorded. Results: international SUP athletes had a body mass of 74.6 (6.6) kg, a body fat percentage of 7.6 % (2.1 %) (Carter), 11.3 % (3.5 %) (Faulkner), 7.6 % (2.1 %) (Yuhasz), and 9.0 % (3.6 %) (Whiters), and skinfold sums of 48.2 (20.6) mm for 6, and 57.8 (22.2) mm for 8 skinfolds. Muscle mass was 47.3 % (2.6 %) and somatotype was ecto-mesomorphic with values of 1.9 (0.9) for endomorphy, 5.4 (1.0) for mesomorphy, and 2.4 (0.9) for ectomorphy. BIA results for FM were 11.7 % (4.4 %), and for MM were 50.0 % (2.9 %). Conclusion: these results suggest that a low body fat percentage and high muscle mass are representative characteristics of international stand-up paddlers, as well as a balanced mesomorphic somatotype. According to these, a low skindfold sum and high arm muscle mass may represent key factors for performance in this sport because of their relation to acceleration and stroke force.