EVALUATION OF ANTHROPOMETRIC TRAITS OF PRE-ADOLESCENT KARATE ATHLETES IN NAGPUR CITY

Abstract

This study aims to explore the anthropometric characteristics of male and female pre-adolescent karate players in Nagpur city. Anthropometry, the measurement of the human body, plays a crucial role in understanding the physical attributes that contribute to athletic performance. The study examines key parameters such as height, weight, skin fold thicknesses and other physical traits in both male and female karate players within the pre-adolescent age group (ages 10-12 years). A total of 100 karate players (males: n-50, age-11.1±0.78 years and females: n-50, age-11.2±0.74 years) from various clubs in Nagpur were selected through purposive sampling. Data of anthropometric characteristics was collected using standard equipment and protocols. The data collected was analyzed using MS Excel to identify variations in physical characteristics. The findings of this study will contribute to a better understanding of the physical profiles of young karate practitioners, guiding coaches and trainers in designing age-appropriate training programs to enhance performance and reduce the risk of injury. The results suggest that males were marginally taller and heavier than females. Specifically, the mean height for males was 142.98 cm (SD = 6.47), with a range of 127-165 cm, while the mean height for females was 141.75 cm (SD = 6.7), ranging from 125-163 cm. In terms of weight, the mean for males was 37.39 kg (SD = 6.75), with a range of 24.95-61.78 kg, whereas the mean for females was 35.03 kg (SD = 6.2), with a range from 23.13-54.25 kg. Males also exhibited a higher mean body mass index (BMI) of 18.29 kg/m2 (SD = 2.85), with a range of 13.77-27.09 kg/m2, compared to females, whose mean BMI was 17.43 kg/m2 (SD = 2.45), ranging from 14.03-24.17 kg/m2. Additionally, a greater proportion of males were classified as thin (4%) or overweight (28%) and obese (8%) compared to females, with respective percentages of 2%, 8%, and 2%. Both males and females exhibited significantly higher shoulder widths and lower elbow breadths compared to normative standard values (p < 0.05). Furthermore, while both sexes had significantly lower mid-upper arm circumferences, only females demonstrated significantly lower forearm circumferences, and males had significantly higher wrist circumferences relative to the normative standards (p<0.05). Both groups showed significantly higher waist and ankle circumferences but significantly lower thigh and calf circumferences compared to the normative standards (p<0.05). Notably, females exhibited significantly lower hip circumferences compared to the normative standards (p<0.05). In terms of skinfold thicknesses, both males and females had significantly lower tricep, subscapular, and suprailiac skinfold measurements than the normative standards (p < 0.05). However, males showed significantly higher bicep skinfold thickness compared to normative values (p < 0.05). Additionally, males had a slightly higher body fat percentage (mean = 18.2, SD = 4.47) than females (mean = 17.35, SD = 4.96).