Olympic Italian Female Water Polo Players: Analysis of Body Size and Body Composition Data over 20 Years

Background: The variation in the body mass and height of players over time is called the secular trend. It has been analyzed in several team sports, but no similar studies have been conducted on female athletes playing water polo. The aim of this paper was to study the changes that have occurred in the body size and composition of female water polo athletes participating in the Olympic Games, from their first inclusion in the Olympics (2004) until today. Methods: Data were collected from the female water polo players of the National Team selected to participate in the Olympic Games from 2004 (Athens) until 2024 (Paris) and then analyzed. A total of 93 athletes were assessed, and we analyzed the data for each of the Olympics between 2004 and 2024. To evaluate the anthropometric characteristics of the athletes, their body mass and height were recorded and their Body Mass Index (BMI) was then calculated. The athletes' Body Composition (BC) was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Results: The athletes' average age decreases over time, while their body mass increases. Their body height does not vary significantly. The BMI confirmed that the athletes were always healthy and with a correct diet. With regard to BC, the Fat Free Mass (FFM) values exhibit an increasing trend. Conclusions: The water polo female athletes participating in the 2024 Olympic Games were younger and have different anthropometric and BC values than the athletes playing in the first women's water polo tournament at the Olympics in 2004. The most likely explanation for this is the rapid evolution of the young female version of the sport, with improved recruitment and training strategies and greater attention paid to nutrition.