Anthropometry of young men mountain climbers

Palabras claves:ACTIVIDAD FÍSICA/CALIDAD DE VIDA

Title: ANTHROPOMETRY OF YOUNG MEN MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS
Authors: Parveneh Nazarali, Robab Shahrian,Khosro Ebrahim
Institution: Faculty of Sport Science, Alzahra University, Tehran .
Iran Federation of Sports, Aerobics and Fitness
Faculty of Sport Science, Beheshti University, Tehran
País: Iran
Email:nazarali@yahoo.com, info@ifsaf.com

Fuente: Foro Mundial de Educación Física; II Cumbre Iberoamericana de Educación Física y Deporte Escolar; Simposio de Actividad Física y Calidad de Vida; Taller Internacional de  Deporte Escolar y Alto Rendimiento, 2010.
 

Objects
To describe the general anthropometric characteristics of junior US competitive rock climbers.
 

Methods:
Ninety subjects (mean (SD) AGE 13.5 (3.0) years) volunteered to participate. All competed at the Junior Competition Climbers Association US National Championship. Anthropometric Variables, including height, mass, body mass index. (BMI), arm span, biiliocristal and baronial breadths, skin fold thickness at nine anatomical sites, forearm and hand volumes, and handgrip strength, were measured. Selected variables were expressed as ratio values and as normative age and sex matched centile scores where appropriate. A control group (n=45) of no climbing children and youths who participated in a variety of sports activities, including basketball, cross country running, cross country skiing, soccer, and swimming. Underwent the same testing procedures in the Exercise Science
Laboratory of Northern Michigan University.

Results:
Mean (SD) self reported climbing ability was 11.80 (1.20), or about 5.11 d on the Yosemite decimal system scale. The mean (SD) experience level was 3.2 (1.9) years, and subjects competed unorganized competitions over a 12 month period.
Despite similarity in age, there were significant differences (P<0.01) between climbers and control subjects for height, mass, centile scores for height and mass, ratio of arm span to height (ape index), biiliocristal/ biacromial ratio. Sum of seven and sum of nine skin folds, estimated body fat percentage, and handgrip/mass ratio.
Despite significantly lower skin fold sums and estimated body fat percentage, no differences were found between climbers and controls for absolute BMI or BMI expressed as a centile score.