Glasnik Antropološkog Društva Srbije (Jan 2018)
Differences in body composition and motor abilities between synchronized swimmers and non-athlete girls
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the differences in body composition and motor abilities between synchronized swimmers and non-athlete girls. The sample of this study was consisted of 37 girls, 16 of them were actively engaged in synchronized swimming and 21 girl were not engaged in sport activities, ages 12-14. The anthropometric characteristics of the subjects were assessed by the following measures: Body Height (BH) (cm); Body Mass (BM) (kg); Body Mass Index (BMI) (kg/m2). Body composition was assessed by measure: Triceps skinfold (TRI) (mm); Biceps skinfold (BIC) (mm); Subscapular skinfold (SUB) (mm); Abdominal Skinfold (ABD) (mm); Calf Skinfold (CALF) (mm); Sum of five skinfolds (SUM5) (mm); Body Fat Percent (BF%) (%); Muscle Mass Percent (% MM) (%). The motor abilities were evaluated using the three tests by a Eurofit battery, used for the evaluation of flexibility - sit and reach (FLEX) (cm); for static strength assessment - hand grip (HGRIP) (N); for muscular endurance assessment - bet-arm hangs (BAH) (sec.). The use of analysis of variance determined a statistically significant difference in body composition only in variable of truncal skinfold measurment (p = 0.014) for the benefit of girls engaged in synchronized swimming, while in the space of motor abilities the difference was determined in all variables: handgrip, sit and rich and bent arm hang tests (p = 0.000), also for the benefit of synchronized swimmers. Active engagement in sports activities such as synchronized swimming at this age can contribute to the equaly distribution of body fat, as well as the development of motor abilites that are most represented in the training process of synchronized swimming.
