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Morphological prototypes, assessment and change in elite athletes
Journal of Sports Sciences
|June 1, 1994
Summary
This study explores using kinanthropometric techniques to define a morphological prototype for athlete development. This approach helps track progress in young athletes across various sports by analyzing body composition changes.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Kinanthropometry
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Athlete development relies on understanding morphological characteristics.
- Kinanthropometry offers tools to assess these characteristics.
- Defining a morphological prototype aids in evaluating athlete progress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the concept of a morphological prototype for athlete development.
- To illustrate the utility of kinanthropometric techniques in defining and applying this prototype.
- To introduce the idea of an individual ideal prototype through morphological optimization.
Main Methods:
- Utilized kinanthropometric techniques to assess athletes' body composition.
- Analyzed somatotypes of competitors from major sporting events (e.g., Olympics, World Championships).
- Examined variables like muscle mass, bone mass, and skinfolds.
Main Results:
- Presented somatotypes as a 'somatotypic prototype' for specific sports.
- Demonstrated changes in muscle mass, bone mass, and skinfolds in athletes.
- Highlighted the effectiveness of discrete, short-term sensitive variables for progress evaluation.
Conclusions:
- The morphological prototype, assessed via kinanthropometry, is valuable for athlete development.
- Tracking changes in specific morphological variables can effectively monitor young athletes' progress.
- Establishing an individual ideal prototype through morphological optimization is a viable concept.