Somatotype of elite cuban paddlers

Some physical characteristics are related to maximum sport performance, which has resulted in what has been denominated the morphological prototype.  Knowing about this concept is of great relevance for physical activity professionals.  Consequently, the purpose of this research was to give evidence as to whether the somatotypes of elite Cuban paddlers are related to international studies done in Spain (Esparza, 1993), Canada (Carter, 1999), Australia (Ackland et al, 2000), Argentina (Lentini et al, 2002), and the United States (Vaccaro et al, 2000).  A total of 30 athletes were evaluated including 9 female kayakers and 21 male canoeists and kayakers. This study shows the significant heterogeneity found in this population based on the behavior of the somatotypes when contrasting the groups.  Compared to the other reference studies, the endomorphic component proved to be the differentiating factor in this research.  The foregoing allowed us to conclude that actions should be taken to modify this component in a way that Cuban athletes are closer to the anthropometric profile exhibited by international elite teams.

Perfil morfológico de culturistas brasileiros de elite em período competitivo

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Anthropometric, physiological, performance, and nutritional profile of the Brazil National Canoe Polo Team

The purpose of this study was to determine the physiological, anthropometric, performance, and nutritional characteristics of the Brazil Canoe Polo National Team. Ten male canoe polo athletes (age 26.7 +/- 4.1 years) performed a battery of tests including assessments of anthropometric parameters, upper-body anaerobic power (Wingate), muscular strength, aerobic power, and nutritional profile. In addition, we characterized heart rate and plasma lactate responses and the temporal pattern of the effort/recovery during a simulated canoe polo match. The main results are as follows: body fat, 12.3 +/- 4.0%; upper-body peak and mean power, 6.8 +/- 0.5 and 4.7 +/- 0.4 W . kg(-1), respectively; 1-RM bench press, 99.1 +/- 11.7 kg; peak oxygen uptake, 44.3 +/- 5.8 mL . kg(-1) . min(-1); total energy intake, 42.8 +/- 8.6 kcal . kg(-1); protein, carbohydrate, and fat intakes, 1.9 +/- 0.1, 5.0 +/- 1.5, and 1.7 +/- 0.4 g . kg(-1), respectively; mean heart rate, 146 +/- 11 beats . min(-1); plasma lactate, 5.7 +/- 3.8 mmol . L-1 at half-time and 4.6 +/- 2.2 mmol . L-1 at the end of the match; effort time (relative to total match time), 93.1 +/- 3.0%; number of sprints, 9.6 +/- 4.4. The results of this study will assist coaches, trainers, and nutritionists in developing more adequate training programmes and dietary interventions for canoe polo athletes.

Morphological profile of Brazilian jiu-jitsu elite athletes

Athletes from many sports that are categorized by body mass tend to reduce it to fit in lower categories. Such reduction can compromise the athlete's performance and health. In order to determine the most appropriate category, the body composition is highly relevant, especially to avoid excessive reduction. Thus, this study analyzed the morphological profile of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu elite athletes. The sample was composed of 11 athletes, aged 25.8 +/- 3.3 years, medalists in national and/or international competitions. The analysis was performed to determine the anthropometric body composition and somatotype. Body fat percentage from this population was 10.3 +/- 2.6 % fat, a high percentage of muscle mass (61.3 +/- 1.5 %), and predominant mesomorphic component (5.5 +/- 1.0) was observed. The points of highest and lowest fat accumulation were respectively abdominal (15.7 +/- 6.3 mm) and chest (6.8 +/- 1.5 mm) regions. It can be concluded that athletes from this sport showed higher body mass during the preparatory period than in competitive conditions (4.4 +/- 2.4 %); however, they showed low body fat, high muscle mass percentage and predominant mesomorphic component.

The anthropometric profile of elite roller figure skaters

Although the anthropometric profiles of Olympic athletes, as a group, are well known, there is still a need for specific reference data for each sport given that each discipline has its own characteristics. This study has been designed considering the limited number of articles that focus on the anthropometric characteristics of artistic roller skating and, more specifically, the figures discipline. The aim of this study is twofold: firstly, to define the anthropometric profile, body composition and somatotype of male and female artistic roller figure skaters in order to establish specific profiles; and, secondly, to establish the differences between the anthropometric profiles, body compositions and somatotypes of male and female skaters. Twenty-nine professional roller skaters (male = 15, female = 14) underwent measurements of standard anthropometry (height, body mass, arm span, 8 skinfolds, 3 breadths and 11 girths). The somatotype was measured using the Heath-Carter methods. A T-Student test for independent samples was conducted in order to assess the differences between male and female skaters. Significant statistical differences were found between male and female skaters in terms of body mass, height, arm span, the sum of four and six skinfolds and all skinfold measurements. Male skaters have a BMI of 21.4± 1.6 and female skaters have a BMI of 21.5 ± 2.4. The results indicate that arm span is an important characteristic for skaters. Mesomorphy is the most important component, followed by endomorphy, for male and female skaters. Male skaters have an endomesomorphic somatotype (3.5-4.5-2.5) and female skaters have a balanced mesomorphic somatotype (3.3-4.1-2.9).

Antropometría, Composición Corporal y Somatotipo de las Patinadoras de Elite en Patinaje Artístico sobre Ruedas: Análisis por Disciplinas

El objetivo de este estudio fue describir y comparar las características antropométricas, composición corporal y somatotipo de patinadoras de patinaje artístico sobre ruedas por categorías (junior y senior) y por disciplinas (individual, parejas y danza). Fueron evaluadas 62 patinadoras profesionales (36 en la disciplina de libre, 13 en danza y 13 en parejas). El análisis estadístico utilizado fue una ANOVA para muestras independientes entre disciplinas, y una T de Student para las categorías (junior y senior). Entre la categoría junior y senior no se han encontrado diferencias estadísticas significativas. Las patinadoras junior presentaron un somatotipo endo-mesomorfo, y las patinadoras senior presentaron un somatotipo mesomorfo balanceado. El somatotipo de las patinadoras de parejas y danza fue el mesomórfico balanceado, y el de las patinadoras de libre fue endo-mesomórfico. Este estudio aporta datos biotipológicos de referencia para la población de elite de patinadoras sobre ruedas.

Análisis de la estructura del juego y parámetros morfológicos y fisiológicos en bádminton

En este trabajo se ha realizado un análisis de la estructura del juego y de los parámetros morfológicos y fisiológicos en jugadores de bádminton. Para ello se han realizado 4 estudios aplicados. Objetivo: Los objetivos del trabajo han sido: (1) comprobar si existen diferencias entre el lado dominante y no dominante de las medidas antropométricas en jugadores de bádminton de máximo nivel nacional, así como verificar si el lado del cuerpo donde se realiza la medición puede influir en el cálculo de la composición corporal y del somatotipo. (2) Comparar la estuctura temporal y notacional en partidos de individual masculino entre los Juegos Olímpicos de Pekín y de Londres para observar como ha evolucionado el bádminton de 2008 a 2012. (3) Medir la ocurrencia de daño muscular después de un partido simulado de bádminton y su influencia en parámetros físicos y hematológicos. (4) Investigar la efectividad de una bebida energética que contiene cafeína para mejorar el rendimiento físico y el rendimiento en un partido en jugadores de élite de bádminton. Metodología: Para caracterizar el bádminton participaron en esta tesis un total de 78 jugadores de bádminton de élite (63 hombres y 15 mujeres), distribuidos en tres estudios y se analizaron 40 sets de bádminton de individual masculino usando los videos oficiales de los Juegos Olímpicos de Pekín 2008 y Londres 2012. En el primer estudio se tomaron medidas de pliegues cutáneos, diámetros, longitudes y perímetros del lado dominante y no dominante de los jugadores. Se calculó la composición corporal y el somatotipo. En el segundo estudio se analizaron los factores temporales y los factores notacionales de los partidos. En el tercer estudio se midieron la fuerza máxima isométrica, la velocidad en test específicos de bádminton y se tomaron muestras de sangre antes y después de jugar un partido de bádminton de 45 minutos. En el cuarto estudio se realizó un experimento a doble ciego, aleatorizado y controlado con placebo, los jugadores ingirieron 3 mg de cafeína por kilógramo de masa corporal en forma de bebida energética, o la misma bebida sin cafeína (placebo). En este estudio se registraron diferente tests específicos de bádminton (tests de salto, fuerza máxima y test de agilidad) y se jugó un partido simulado de 45 minutos. Resultados y discusión: (1) El porcentaje óseo fue mayor calculado a partir de las mediciones del lado dominante (dominante = 16.37 ± 1.14 %, no dominante = 15.66 ± 1.12 %; P < 0.001), mientras que el porcentaje muscular fue mayor calculado a partir de las mediciones del lado no dominante (dominante = 49.39 ± 2.60 %, no dominante = 50.18 ± 2.69%; P < 0.001). (2) La duración del set (Pekín: 1124.6 ± 229.9 s vs Londres: 1260.3 ± 267.1 s.; P < 0.05), el tiempo real de juego (Pekín: 306.9 ± 45.7 s vs Londres: 354.7 ± 86.5 s; P < 0.05), tiempo de rally, golpeos por rally, tiempo de descanso en el punto 11, tiempo de descanso entre sets y golpeos por rally fueron significativamente mayores en Londres que en Pekín. (3) El partido simulado de bádminton no afectó a la fuerza isométrica máxima (Pre: 1263.6 ± 245.5, Post: 1290.8 ± 240.4 N) o a la velocidad específica de bádminton (Pre: 21.0 ± 1.7, Post: 20.9 ± 1.8 s), sin embargo las concentraciones de mioglobina y de creatina quinasa en sangre aumentaron de 26.5 ± 11.6 a 197.3 ± 70.2 μg • L-1 y de 258.6 ± 192.2 a 466.0 ± 296.5 U • L-1, respectivamente después del partido de bádminton. (4) En comparación con la bebida placebo, la ingesta de la bebida energética con cafeína incrementó la altura del SJ (34.5±4.7 vs. 36.4±4.3 cm; P < 0.05) y del CMJ (37.7 ± 4.5 vs. 39.5 ± 5.1 cm; P < 0.05) y aumentó el número de aceleraciones totales durante el partido (7395 ± 1594 vs. 7707 ± 2033 aceleraciones; P < 0.05). Conclusiones: (1) Existen asimetrías corporales en los jugadores de bádminton de alto nivel, al encontrarse diferencias en los diámetros óseos y en los perímetros entre el lado dominante y no dominante. Al calcular la composición corporal con el lado dominante de los jugadores de bádminton se está sobreestimando el porcentaje óseo e infraestimando el porcentaje muscular. (2) El bádminton está evolucionando hacía rallies más largos con intervalos de descanso mayores, lo que resulta en partidos más largos. (3) El partido de bádminton generó daño muscular, sin embargo, el nivel de daño muscular alcanzado después de un partido de bádminton no produjo una disminución del rendimiento muscular. (4) El uso de una bebida energética con cafeína puede ser una ayuda nutricional eficaz para aumentar el rendimiento en el salto y patrones de actividad durante el juego en jugadores de élite de bádminton. ABSTRACT: This study analyzes the structure of the game and the morphological and physiological parameters in badminton players, investigated in four applied studies. Purpose: The purposes of the study were: (1) To check if there are differences between the dominant and non-dominant side in the anthropometric measures of badminton players at the highest national level and verify if the side of the body where the measurements are performed can influence the calculation of the body composition and the somatotype. (2) To compare the temporal and notational structure in men’s singles matches between the Olympic Games in Beijing and London to observe the evolution of badminton between 2008 and 2012. (3) To asses the occurrence of muscle damage after a simulated badminton match and its influence on physical and haematological parameters. (4) To determine the effectiveness of a commercially available energy drink that contains caffeine to improve match performance in elite badminton players. Methods: A total of 78 elite badminton players (63 men and 15 women) participated in this thesis to characterize the sport of badminton distributed in three studies and 40 sets of men’s singles badminton analyzed using the official videos of the Olympic Games of Beijing 2008 and London 2012. In the first study skinfolds, diameters, lengths and perimeters of the dominant and non-dominant side of the players were measured and body composition and somatotype were calculated. In the second study the temporal and notational factors were analyzed. In the third study maximal isometric force and speed in badminton specific tests were measured and blood samples were taken before and after a badminton match of 45 minutes. In the fourth study, a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled experiment, players ingested 3 mg of caffeine per kilogram of body mass in the form of an energy drink or an identical drink with no caffeine content (placebo). In this study different badminton specific tests (jump tests, handgrip force test and an agility test) were recorded and a simulated badminton match of 45 minutes was played. Results and discussion: (1) The percentage of bone was higher when calculated from measurements of the dominant body side (dominant = 16.37 ± 1.14 %, nondominant = 15.66 ± 1.12 %; P < 0.001), while the muscle percentage was higher when calculated from measurements of the non-dominant side (dominant = 49.39 ± 2.60 %, non-dominant = 50.18 ± 2.69%; P < 0.001). (2) Set duration (Beijing: 1124.6 ± 229.9 s vs. London: 1260.3 ± 267.1 s.; P < 0.05), real time played (Beijing: 306.9 ± 45.7 s vs. London: 354.7 ± 86.5 s; P < 0.05), rally time, shots per rally, rest time at point 11, rest time between sets and shots per rally were significantly higher in London than in Beijing. (3) A simulated badminton match did not affect maximal isometric force (Pre: 1263.6 ± 245.5, Post: 1290.8 ± 240.4 N) or specific badminton speed (Pre: 21.0 ± 1.7, Post: 20.9 ± 1.8 s), however, concentrations of myoglobin and creatine kinase in blood increased from 26.5 ± 11.6 to 197.3 ± 70.2 μg • L-1 and from 258.6 ± 192.2 to 466.0 ± 296.5 U • L-1, respectively after the badminton match. (4) In comparison to the placebo drink, the caffeinated beverage increased height in the SJ (34.5±4.7 vs. 36.4±4.3 cm; P < 0.05) and in the CMJ (37.7 ± 4.5 vs. 39.5 ± 5.1 cm; P < 0.05) and increased the number of total accelerations during the match (7395 ± 1594 vs. 7707 ± 2033 accelerations; P < 0.05). Conclusions: (1) Body asymmetries were found in high level badminton players, due to the differences found in bone diameters and perimeters between the dominant and non-dominant body side. When calculating body composition with the dominant side of the badminton players we are overestimating bone percentage and underestimating muscle percentage. (2) Badminton is evolving towards longer rallies with greater rest intervals, resulting in longer matches. (3) The badminton match generated muscle damage, however, the level of muscle damage reached after a badminton match did not produce a decrease in muscle performance. (4) The ingestion of an energy drink containing caffeine might be an effective ergogenic nutritional supplement to increase jump performance and activity patterns during the game in elite badminton players.

Water polo throwing speed and body composition: an analysis by playing positions and opposition level

The aim of this study was to develop an anthropometric profile on highly skilled male water polo players by specific playing positions. Also, to identify significant relationships between these features an overhead throwing speed in highly skilled male Water Polo players by specific playing positions. Methods: A total of 94 male water polo players (24.5±5.3 yrs) who were playing in the Spanish King´s cup were studied. Subjects were grouped according to their specific playing positions: 15 goalkeepers, 45 offensive wings, 20 center backs and 14 center forwards. Anthropometric assessment was made following ISAK protocols. Hand grip and throwing speed in several situations were also assessed. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine if significant differences existed among the four playing positions. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients (r) were used to determine the relationships of all anthropometric measures with throwing speed and hand grip. The total player’s somatotype was endomorphic-mesomorphic (2.9–5.8–2.3). Center forwards exhibit important anthropometric differences compared with the other specific playing positions in elite male water polo players, but no differences were found in throwing speed by specific playing positions in each throwing conditions. Moreover, a higher number of relationships between anthropometric and throwing speed were found in wings and also in center backs but no relationships were found in center forwards. The data reflects the importance of muscle mass and upper body in the throwing skill. Coaches can use this information in order to select players for the different specific positions.

Caracterização dos ginastas de Teamgym a nível do perfil morfológico e da incidência de lesões

A investigação realizada tem como propósito determinar qual o perfil morfológico mais adequado a um atleta de Teamgym. Pretende-se aumentar a assertividade do processo de treino, sabendo que perfil morfológico os atletas deveriam atingir de acordo com as exigências e características da disciplina. Assim, estudou-se uma amostra de 85 atletas, entre os 9 e os 25 anos, dos escalões juniores e seniores, federados pelo Sporting Clube de Portugal. Foram registadas três formas diferentes de recolha de dados: bioimpedância, antropometria e questionário adaptado - Estudo sobre as lesões em Ginastas de Competição na Época de 2005/2006 (Oliveira, R., et al., 2007). As recolhas efetuadas permitiram obter o somatótipo e índice de massa corporal dos atletas; inquiri-los sobre o processo de treino a que são sujeitos; e averiguar a ocorrência de lesões na última época desportiva. Os dados obtidos mostram que embora o processo de treino não pareça estar organizado da melhor forma para fomentar uma adaptação morfológica, no escalão sénior elite os atletas são predominantemente mesomorfos, indo este somatótipo ao encontro da caracterização da disciplina. Conclui-se ainda que é mais difícil atingir esta morfologia no sexo feminino, tendo estas maior incidência de lesão.

Organizational rhetoric in the prospectuses of elite private schools : unpacking strategies of persuasion

Schools have seldom been examined by scholars in studies of organizational sites. Yet schools and the educational context in which they operate, offer potentially important insights into how organizations use rhetoric in their communications to persuade audiences and leverage advantage in the marketplace. This study, which utilises rhetorical analysis to examine the persuasive, yet ambiguous strategies used in 65 school prospectuses in Australia, revealed six strategies consistently used by schools to leverage competitive advantage and persuade internal and external audiences: identification, juxtapositioning, bolstering or self-promotion, partial reporting, selfexpansion and reframing or reversal. As well as illustrating how schools operate in the context of marketisation and privatization discourses in 21st century education, the organizational theory and methods utilised for the research demonstrates how rhetorical strategies draw on, as well as reproduce, socio-political and cultural discourses around economic and social privilege.

Between Two Worlds : Harry Reade, the Sydney waterfront and Cuban animation

Harry Reade (1927-1998) was an Australian waterside worker-artist who became involved with animation production through the Waterside Workers’ Federation Film Unit, in Sydney. During the early years of the Cuban Revolution, Reade contributed to Cuba’s social and cultural reform process by influencing the development of the educational sector of Cuban animation. This article examines the forces that shaped Reade and the ways in which he contributed to the use of animation as an agent of social change.

Meniscal repair in the elite athlete : results of 45 repairs with a minimum 5-year follow-up

Background The preservation of meniscal tissue is important to protect joint surfaces. Purpose We have an aggressive approach to meniscal repair, including repairing tears other than those classically suited to repair. Here we present the medium- to long-term outcome of meniscal repair (inside-out) in elite athletes. Study Design Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods Forty-two elite athletes underwent 45 meniscal repairs. All repairs were performed using an arthroscopically assisted inside-out technique. Eighty-three percent of these athletes had ACL reconstruction at the same time. Patients returned a completed questionnaire (including Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee [IKDC] scores). Mean follow-up was 8.5 years. Failure was defined by patients developing symptoms of joint line pain and/or locking or swelling requiring repeat arthroscopy and partial meniscectomy. Results The average Lysholm and subjective IKDC scores were 89.6 and 85.4, respectively. Eighty-one percent of patients returned to their main sport and most to a similar level at a mean time of 10.4 months after repair, reflecting the high level of ACL reconstruction in this group. We identified 11 definite failures, 10 medial and 1 lateral meniscus, that required excision; this represents a 24% failure rate. We identified 1 further patient who had possible failed repairs, giving a worst-case failure rate of 26.7% at a mean of 42 months after surgery. However, 7 of these failures were associated with a further injury. Therefore, the atraumatic failure rate was 11%. Age and size and location of the tears were not associated with a higher failure rate. Medial meniscal repairs were significantly more likely to fail than lateral meniscal repairs, with a failure rate of 36.4% and 5.6%, respectively (P < .05). Conclusion Meniscal repair and healing are possible, and most elite athletes can return to their preinjury level of activity.

Throwing frame and performance of elite male seated shot-putters

Seated shot-putters rely on a customized assistive device called a throwing frame. Currently, the construction of each individual throwing frame is mainly driven by an empirical approach. One way to refine the conception is to improve the basic understanding of performance of seated shot-putters. The relationship between performance and throwing technique has been well described. Remarkably, the relationship between performance and throwing frame characteristics has received limited attention. The primary objective of this study was to present a cataloguing of characteristics of throwing frames used by seated shot-putters. This cataloguing consisted of defining and grouping 26 characteristics into three main categories (i.e., whole body, foot and upper limb specific characteristics) and seven sub-categories. The secondary objective of this study was to provide raw characterisations of the throwing frames for a group of athletes who participated in a world-class event. The characterisation consisted of describing the characteristics of each throwing frame. Potential relationships between characteristics, performance and classification were also identified. The cataloguing was achieved using a 6-step heuristic approach, involving expert opinions and the analysis of 215 attempts produced by 55 male athletes during the 2006 IPC Athletics World Championships. The distribution of samples across characteristics suggested a relevant level of comprehensiveness for the proposed cataloguing. The raw data, the profile of best athletes and the frequency of characteristics provided key benchmark information for construction of a throwing frame as well as coaching, classification and officiating. Analysis of data sets relating to characteristics, performance and classification were inconclusive.