Neuromuscular Performance Characteristics of Elite Colombian Sunfish Sailors: A Pilot Study

Background: Sunfish sailing requires a combination of morphological and neuromuscular characteristics to effectively manage sail control and maintain postural stability during hiking maneuvers. Objectives: We aimed to describe the anthropometric and neuromuscular characteristics of elite Colombian Sunfish sailors and explore potential sex-related patterns. Methods: Six competitive sailors (three men and three women) underwent anthropometric assessment and somatotype calculation. Neuromuscular performance was evaluated using handgrip strength (HGS), quadriceps maximal voluntary isometric contraction, rate of force development (RFD), one-repetition maximum (1RM) lower-limb assessment, countermovement jump (CMJ), trunk endurance tests, and the Y-balance test for dynamic balance. Descriptive statistics and standardized effect sizes (Hedges' g) were used to characterize between-sex patterns. Results: Anthropometric assessments suggested descriptive sex-related differences in body composition and skeletal dimensions, with a predominance of mesomorphic characteristics. Descriptive data suggested higher HGS values among men (g = 2.27-4.85), while lower-limb neuromuscular performance showed higher values among men across several RFD time windows (g = 0.81-1.45). Conversely, dynamic balance and trunk endurance outcomes showed minimal variation between sexes. Conclusions: This pilot study provides a preliminary physical profile of elite Colombian Sunfish sailors. The observed patterns in strength-related and morphological variables, especially HGS, quadriceps MVIC, and lower-limb power, should be interpreted as exploratory. Further research with larger samples is required to confirm these findings.