Proportionality Indices and Body Composition of Elite Acrobatic Gymnasts

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Yaiza Taboada-Iglesias; Águeda Gutiérrez-Sánchez & Mercedes Vernetta

Summary

The study is aimed at determining the proportionality indices and body composition in Acrobatic Gymnastics, establishing a differentiation according to the role to be performed. The sample consisted of 150 gymnasts from throughout Spain. Several proportionality indices and the body composition were analyzed in both groups (tops and bases). A comparative analysis between groups was also carried out. The percentage of body fat was significantly (p<0.001) higher in the bases (15.1% fat), whereas the percentage of bone mass was higher in the tops (19.82%). Regarding the proportionality indices, there were no significant differences between the two roles. However, significant differences were observed with respect to the percentage of body fat and bone mass between the tops and bases, the percentage of body fat being lower in the tops and that of bone mass being lower in the bases. Tops and bases are characterized by short upper limbs; however, tops present long lower limbs, whereas bases have intermediate lower limbs. Both roles present an intermediate trunk, of intermediate shape.

KEY WORDS: Anthropometrics; Body composition; Morphology; Acrobatic gymnastics; Gymnastics.

How to cite this article

TOBOADA-IGLESIAS Y.; GUTIÉRREZ-SÁNCHEZ, Á. & VERNETTA, M. Proportionality indices and body composition of elite acrobatic gymnasts. Int. J. Morphol., 33(3):996-1001, 2015.