ANTHROPOMETRIC MEASURES AND BIRTH DATE DISTRIBUTION OF STUDENT ATHLETES IN SELECTED MALAYSIAN STATE SPORTS SCHOOLS (17 - 24)

Abstract

Journal of Sports Science and Physical Education 3(1): 17–24, 2015 - Anthropometric measurements are widely used to determine body composition, size and weight, and proportions of the human body, especially in children. Our aim was to identify common physical characteristics of student athletes in selected Malaysia states sports schools. The ensuing analysis aimed to provide these states sports school athletes with a competitive advantage. Participants (n=317) were from student-athletes, aged between 13-14y and 15-16y staying in their school’s dormitory. These student-athletes comprise of 181 males (13-14y, n=138; 1516y, n=43) and 136 females (13-14y, n=84; 15-16y, n=52). All subjects were measured on 26 anthropometric dimensions using measurements of four skin folds, six direct lengths, seven segment girths, six segment breadths, plus body mass, stretch stature and sitting height. The results showed significantly differences (p<0.05) in acromiale and mid-stylion dactlion length, biacromial breath, tranverse chest, anteriorposterior chest dept, humerus breadth and sitting height between 13-14y and 15-16y males from East Malaysia. Significant differences (p<0.05) existed between 13-14y and 15-16y West Malaysia males in ankle girth, radiale stylion length, biilliocristale breadth, humerus breadth, stature, sitting height and arm span. For female subjects, significant differences were only found in West Malaysia 13-14y and 15-16y for head girth, radiostylion length, humerus breadth, sitting height, and sum of skinfolds. Male subjects from West Malaysia as a whole were significantly larger in all the girth measures, longer forearm length, wider arm span and higher sitting height when compared to their counterparts from East Malaysia (p<0.05). However, the West Malaysia female subjects 13-14y, were only significantly different in arm and forearm length, wrist, ankle girth and sitting height than their counterparts from East Malaysia. The 15-16y West Malaysia female subjects were significantly different (p<0.05) in arm, wrist, calf and ankle girth, humerus breadth and sitting height. In term of birth date distributions, there was significant difference between the number of athletes born across the four quartiles (male: χ2=33.7, p<0.05; female χ2=13.3, p<0.05). To conclude, West Malaysia state school male athletes appear to possess larger girths, longer limbs, higher sitting height, and are much taller. The West Malaysia female athletes only showed greater girths, higher sitting height and wider humerus across the breadth in comparison to East Malaysia 18 female athletes. There was a significant different between the number of athletes born across the four quartiles among the female and male athletes.

Keywords: anthropometric, student athletes, girth, segment lengths